Without a doubt, the most generous blooming, eye-popping Canna I grow is one now being sold in
The outstanding characteristic of this generous performer is the branching ability of each flowering stem which goes on producing branches of bloom for over six months. No less than thirteen sequential heads of bloom branch from each spike. If my season was longer, perhaps there might be more, but the frosts usually overtake them before they are done producing. The flowers are extremely weatherproof and of a wonderful clear vermilion red illuminated with a faint blush of gold.
I believe it to be the old Crozy hybrid 'Souvenir d'Aza Gray'. But so far have been unable to find
multiple proofs for this identity. This old Canna was in the This ability to throw many fresh branches from each spike is not something that Canna breeders have given much consideration. The average canna will give three or four sequential branchings from the flowering spike. Additional branching is a very valuable characteristic and one well worth exploring and breeding towards.
Dale, what colour would you call this one?
ReplyDeleteWell Malcolm, I call it vermilion as it is the same shade as my tubes of paint! Almost orange but definitely on the red side of the spectrum. It's a very pure coloured canna and doesn't alter much as it ages.
ReplyDeleteIt contains those "sparkle" cells in the staminodes that reflect light - hence the gold overlay that changes depending from which angle it is viewed. Almost like a hologram and quite different to a blush of another shade. Makes them very hard to photograph as you get a flare from the reflection of the sun. Many cannas have these and we have never selected for the characteristic as the Daylily breeders are now doing.