Canna Lily 'Fiesta'

With 'Fiesta', red and yellow together create a lively, warm picture. The flowers sit in spikes above the large leaves that give the plant its exotic character. A dense tuft of foliage forms as early as June, and the flowers follow from July.

At about 110–130 cm tall, 'Fiesta' is a good choice for the middle of the border or as the centrepiece of a large container. Combine it with orange zinnias, blue ornamental sage or bronze grasses. In a tropical border it goes with bananas, castor oil plants and elephant's ears. It also shows to advantage in front of a pale house wall.

Individual flower stems enrich large summer bouquets. To keep the plant producing flowers into September, regularly cut back spent spikes and give it water and feed. The plant is easy-going and rewarding if it stands somewhere warm. If you start it off early, you will see the first flowers in early July. On a sunny terrace a large pot of 'Fiesta' can be the centrepiece all summer long. Its foliage looks lush and healthy even on days without new flowers.

From March you can start the rhizomes off in pots of loose compost in a light, warm place indoors. Only move them outdoors after the Ice Saints (mid-May). Lay the rhizomes 5–8 cm deep with the shoot tips facing up, spacing them 40–60 cm apart. A warm, sheltered spot in full sun with fertile soil is ideal.

Water generously in summer and feed every two weeks, as canna lilies are hungry plants. Cut off faded flower spikes so new ones follow. The plant is not hardy: after the first light frost, cut the foliage back to about 15 cm, lift the rhizomes and overwinter them dry and frost-free at 5–10 °C.