Canna flaccida
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAN-nah FLAS-si-dah
- Description
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Yellow canna is native to the SE USA from SC to FL and is a member of the canna family (Cannaceae). It is a long-lived rhizomatous perennial found in moist to wet sites along glades. streams and ponds. It is evergreen in the south and goes dormant in the winter further north.
This canna will grow 3-6 feet tall in full sun to partial shade. It will grow in clay, loam, and sandy soils. It prefers moist to wet soil but will adapt to drier conditions and is not picky about pH. It is not saltwater tolerant. Propagation is by division of the rhizomes or seeds.
The clusters of large yellow flowers are similar to an iris and last the summer into fall or longer. The large leaves can be up to 2 feet long and 6 inches wide.
Use this canna in a bog, along a pond or stream or in a rain or water garden. It can also be used in a butterfly or pollinator garden. Keep in mind that it can spread quickly.
Yellow canna was used as a parent to many of the early-hybridized cannas that are now known as the Italian Group cannas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Canna
- Species:
- flaccida
- Family:
- Cannaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE United States
- Distribution:
- AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Fertilized by bats and hummingbirds. It is a larval host to skipper butterflies. Other pollinators are attracted to the nectar. Birds and small mammals use them for nesting materials.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Edibility:
- All parts are edible. Flowers are used in salads. The leaves can be used in foods such as tamales.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The rough capsules are 2-3 inches long and contain several black oval seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The yellow flowers have 3 petals and 3 greenish-yellow sepals that are fused at the base with a single bract. They open later in the day and are short-lived but will repeat bloom into fall or later. They bloom in clusters on ling stems and are up to 3 inches across. The showy parts of the flower are not the petals but consist of a modified style and three stamens
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Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The large lanceolate leaves are fleshy green to blue-green with pointed tips and spiral alternately along the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green fleshy stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bats
- Bees
- Frogs
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Humidity
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
