The greatest Canna exhibition ever?

An article by Professor Liberty Hyde Bailey, taken from the Garden and Forest Journal of September 6, 1893.

The Columbian Exposition.

The Front Esplanade of the Horticultural Building.

THE extreme front of the Horticultural Building is something over a hundred feet west of the lagoon, opposite the wooded island. The exterior borders of the lagoons, except the extreme north-eastern and southern arms, are bounded by a perpendicular wall some four or five feet high, upon which is placed a heavy balustrade. This architectural feature serves the double purpose of blending the lagoon with the formal environs and of appearing to set the buildings upon a platform or terrace, thereby increasing their height and importance. The spaces between this railing and the contiguous buildings are essentially esplanades, and some of them are very effective. The central and important portion of the esplanade of the Horticultural Building is an area about sixty feet wide and extending the length of the building --1,000 feet. Upon the east it is bounded by the broad gravel walk skirting the lagoon, and on the west by another thoroughfare. The centre-piece of this esplanade is a Lily-tank with masonry walls, containing forty species and varieties of water-plants, shown by William Tricker, of Staten Island. Nymphaeas predominate, of which the best, at this writing, are Nymphaea Devoniensis superba, a plant with rich bronze leaves and pink-red flowers; N. gracilis, with its starry, sharp-petaled, white flowers standing a foot or more above the leaves, and N. Zanzibarensis and the varieties rosea and azurea. The Water-poppy, Limnocharis Humboldtii, also makes a show with its saucer-like sulphur flowers. Some good Papyrus-plants break the monotony of the pond.

Upon either side of this Lily-pond are two nearly square areas of sod, with flower-beds, beyond which, in each direction, a long parterre stretches away nearly 400 feet. These long areas, which stretch off both north and south, were simply quiet, unornamented lawns early in the season, and it was the hope of the landscape-department that they might be left undisturbed in order to enforce the effect of the lagoon terrace and add a proper dignity to the great building. But land was needed for parterres, and in June the sod was cut into seventy-nine beds, all but three of which are planted to Cannas. This great display of Cannas, extending over a total length of a thousand feet, is now the most conspicuous feature of the environs of the Horticultural Building. There is some chance for criticism in the arrangement, for the many small beds give a spotty effect. If the same plants had been massed into a broad central avenue, or even into two narrow marginal avenues, the effect would have been more continuous and, I think, more impressive.

The plants were late in going into the ground, and the soil is sandy and poor; yet the display, as a whole, is very bold at the opening of September, and it certainly has great merit. The varieties are not numerous, and for that reason the exhibit is all the better. They represent the best of the new French or dwarf Cannas, a class of plants which has been greatly improved in very recent years, especially in all the best qualities of bloom. In the two small areas upon either side of the Lily-tank, J. C. Vaughan shows eighteen beds of Cannas - the central bed in the south area being the best single bed in the collection at this writing. The central portion of the bed is occupied by a heavy planting of Florence Vaughan, which bears a very large yellow flower, thickly and uniformly spotted with brown. About this is a band of J. C. Vaughan, a dull red flower and dark bronze foliage. This is skirted by George W. Childs, a variety of the Madame Crozy type, but bearing more gold upon the petals. The companion bed in the north area has a centre, of the excellent J. D. Cabos, with outer bands of Explorateur Crambel and Florence Vaughan. Among other varieties shown by Vaughan are Egandale, a very dark-leaved and dull red variety of great merit, and Mademoiselle de Crillon, the nearest approach to a pure yellow Canna upon the grounds.

The chief interest in the Canna exhibits, however, attaches to the competitive displays of New York and Pennsylvania. New York occupies most of the south parterre, nearly 400 feet in length, and Pennsylvania has its twin upon the north. Much has been said concerning the comparative merits of these exhibits, and the competition is certainly close; yet it is clear that the New York display is ahead at this time in the vigor of the plants and condition of bloom. I do not know if this is due to any difference in soil or to better plants or more careful management. The varieties are essentially the same in both. F. R. Pierson & Co. supply all the New York plants. The best single bed in this collection is a large circular mass of Capitaine P. de Suzzoni, one of Crozy's varieties introduced to the American trade in I892. It is a tall and bold grower, holding its long clusters of large yellow, brown spotted, flowers well above the leaves.

The Pennsylvania plants are furnished by Henry A. Dreer and Robert Craig. Altogether, Madame Crozy is probably the best Canna in the entire collection, especially when one considers its long season of bloom and good constitution. Star of '91, the American variety of this type, does not appear in the collections, except in a small bed shown by Vaughan, an indication that it lacks in staying qualities. The other best Cannas, judging from this collection, are J. D. Cabos, foliage dark bronze, flowers copper-yellow; Paul Marquant, pinkish salmon-red, introduced here last year; Mademoiselle de Crillon, clear yellow, with a darker throat, but flowers small; Capitaine P. de Suzzoni, already described; Francois Crozy, salmon, very faintly bordered with gold; Florence Vaughan and Egandale, already described; Alphonse Bouvier, dark red, tall grower, introduced in America last year, and Miss Sarah Hill, a low plant with very dark, almost maroon-red, flowers, also introduced last year. Other prominent varieties are Count Horace de Choiseul, brilliant red; Paul Bruant, light red; Explorateur Crambel, dull red; Charles Henderson, dull red, lowest petal blotched; Secretary Stewart, rich red; Enfant de Rhone, salmon-red; Duchesse de Montenard, lemon, spotted red; Baronne de Renowardy, dull rosered, introduced last year by Dreer; Gustave Sennholz, light red; Secretary Nicholas, dark salmon-red; Statuaire Fulconis, red, introduced in this country last year; Edouard Michel, bright salmon-red; The Garden, with large bright salmon-red flowers; Little Gem, much like Star of '91, except that the flowers are smaller and a trifle lighter, with more yellow inside.

At the south end of the south parterre Pitcher & Manda show five choice beds of seedlings, and at the north end of the north area H. P. Potter, of Wilmington, Delaware, shows a new American seedling which reminds one of Florence Vaughan, but it has a smaller flower, which is more densely spotted with red. Both ends of this north area are introduced by a large keystone of carpet bedding, and the north end of the New York display has a shield made of succulents.

At the rear of this central area, lying against the floral curtains upon either side of the dome entrance, are the two spaces which were devoted to Pansies early in the season. Some small beds of Pansies still persist upon the inside of the spaces, but the great central beds are filled with Cannas and Ricinus, furnished by Pierson. The soil is dry and poor and the plants are yet small, but they will probably make a great show later on. Upon either end of both of these areas are two small beds of Coleus and Solanum integrifolium, and some carpet beds of Alternantheras, House-leeks and Agaves. Two smaller areas in front of the end pavilions are filled with a large and interesting collection of Cacti, furnished by Mr. Blanc for the Pennsylvania display.

Along the north-east corner of the Horticultural Building is the display of French Gladioli, shown by Victor Lemoine, of Nancy, and Forgeot, of Paris. Lemoine, who is known to Gladiolus fanciers throughout the world, shows over sixty varieties, about twenty-five plants of each. This corner proves to be a windy location, and most of Forgeot's plants have suffered from the late storms; and Lemoine's, which are tied to cords, have also been injured. Yet both collections passed the height of their bloom before the inclement weather appeared, and they have attracted much attention. Probably few people, even among flower-lovers, are aware of the great variety and beauty of Lemoine's types of Gladioli.

Chicago, Ill. L. H. Bailey.

Premier Canna Group

Following the earlier article on Canna Groups we have received several suggestions for a group to cover the triploids, the Cannas that have the very large petals (really staminodes) that form a full circle. These are derived either from Crozy mutations or Crozy/Italian crosses.

The name we have decided to adopt is the Premier Group. This means that the full list of Canna Groups that we are using is:

• Agriculture Group
• Foliage Group
• Crozy Group
• Italian Group
• Premier Group
• Variegated Group
• Aquatic Group
• Miniature Group
• Conservatory Group

Canna News: Canna cultivar groups

Canna News: Canna cultivar groups

The elements are winning!

Britain is bracing itself for more heavy rain over the coming days as fears grow that this week's devastating floods may have claimed another two lives.

Four people have already died in the flooding, which has forced hundreds of people in Yorkshire and the Midlands from their homes. The river Severn is about 150 metres away from our home, and we have never seen it that close before. Judge Dickinson, a friend of Margaret's, drowned when his Volvo was stuck in a ford, then overwhelmed by the flood waters raging down. A good man, now gone.

As the Queen sent a message of support to those affected by the devastating floods, there appeared to be no let up for rain-lashed Britain.

The Met Office has issued an early warning of severe weather, with further rain and showers forecast to sweep across parts of the UK later this week and through the weekend.

Our Cannas are in a state of total confusion. No more than 25% have decent foliage, everything else is showing bad stress marking. We have a miniature C. 'Laura Daleboe' that normally grows to 30cm (12 inches), which at 10cm (4 inches) is trying to flower. Obviously, very badly stressed.

Tomorrow, Friday, will be a rain-free day and sunshine is forecast, which will dry out some of the worst sufferers, but Saturday and Sunday are promised to be worse than anything we have yet experienced.

Two days ago we had the longest day of the summer. So far, we have been able to sit out late on three nights, and this summer is turning into a tragedy. The Cannas are about a month behind themselves as far as growth is concerned. There are so many trying to flower at an early stage, a sure sign of a plant in distress. We have had to bring all of this years seedlings back indoors, as they cannot survive this volume of cold rain. Many planted out rhizomes are failing and I am digging them back up and bringing them back indoors for intensive care treatment.

Upside? They are forecasting the hottest August on record. OK, bring it on! But first, we have to endure the remains of June and who knows what July holds out for us?

And there are still people out there who insist that there is nothing wrong!

Canna News: Polyploidy in Canna

Canna News: Polyploidy in Canna

Canna News: Musaefolia complex unravelled

Canna News: Musaefolia complex unravelled

Continuing to fight the elements

Further gloomy weather is set to blight the British Isles, with little prospect of sun on the horizon. Showers, prolonged periods of rain and thunder is the forecast once again, causing floods and havoc for travellers, and Canna enthusiasts.

Over a week ago I tempted fate, and stated how good our young seedlings were this year. There was obviously a pixie hiding nearby and he organised my comeuppance. For nearly two weeks we have hardly seen any sun, just overcast with clouds and rain for hours and hours every day. Not just rain, it was cold rain.

Many of the young seedlings do not have a sufficient root system this early in their young lives to handle this, and deterioration and stress has set in. I have been forced to move a third of the seedlings back into the poly tunnel for safety, and here they can dry out again and start some new unaffected growth.

Growing Cannas means that you become more aware of the weather than most other people because of the "perfect" requirement for 5-6 hours of sunshine each day, so the Cannas starch producing engine can pump material created in the giant leaves down to the roots to form rhizomes.

But now it looks like all the remaining seedlings will need moving back indoors as well, as the weather division of the Press Association, have just said that the soaking the country has received in the past week is unusual for June, as are the temperatures - expected to drop to 13-16C across the country on Sunday, and expect up to 10cm of rain in the next 36 hours; that is a normal months worth of rain in 36 hours! And some people still say there's nothing wrong?

"13-16C is quite cold for June but will be a feature of the next few days," he said. And there's no sign of the summer returning any time soon.

"Tuesday is looking like it might be a brighter day," he said. "But if you're looking for hot, dry, sunny weather, there's not much prospect of it for a while."

Canna 'Burbank' unveiled to the world

An extract from the journal, Garden and Forest of June 3 1896.

Correspondence.

A New Hybrid Canna.

To the Editor of GARDEN AND FOREST:

Sir,

During a recent visit to Santa Rosa, California, I called upon Luther Burbank, and among other things was shown a new hybrid Canna which, when introduced, will probably create as great a sensation as Madame Crozy did. This plant is not a seedling of the well-known strains so deservedly popular, but is a hybrid between Madame Crozy, which has so long been the standard of excellence, and Canna flaccida.

Canna flaccida is a native of Florida, of a dwarf habit, and not a strong grower. Its exquisite light yellow flowers would, in spite of these defects, give it a high place in the garden were they not so very ephemeral. So frail and fleeting are they that an hour in the morning often measures their term of existence. I remember well that it was days before I got a sight of the flowers on a blooming plant of my own. The flower of C. flaccida is unique among Cannas in having something of the grace of an Iris and a peculiar silvery sheen that is very beautiful.

For years Mr. Burbank has been trying to make a cross in which some of these fine qualities of Canna flaccida might be united with the vigor and lasting qualities of the Crozy strain, but while many seedlings were grown and bloomed, all, with a pertinacity which is so often the despair of the hybridizer, followed one of the parents, and that Madame Crozy.

Last summer, in the third generation of hybridized seedlings, the new seedling appeared, and any one knowing Canna flaccida would have instantly recognized its parentage. Only a single seedling among thousands, yet Mr. Burbank feels that it well repays the trouble.

In the new and as yet nameless Canna are united, happily, the Iris-like form, the satiny sheen and the large size of flower of Canna flaccida, while the Crozy blood, giving to the plant a vigor of growth even surpassing either parent, and a lasting quality to the flowers about the same as Crozy possesses, is only apparent in the coloring in a lemon more intense than in flaccida, and a few reddish spots in the throat.

A marked feature of the new race is the development of some of the minor petals which in the Crozy strain are all but rudimentary. In the new Canna they are broad and flat, giving a bold fullness of outline until now quite unknown in Cannas.

Considering the predominance of Canna flaccida in this seedling, the most critical point is its keeping qualities. In this regard it is not quite the equal of Crozy. The flower opens up a clear lemon-yellow never before known in Cannas, and is unspotted, except for a few dots well in the throat. With age it becomes lighter in color, and in ordinary weather will last about as long as Madame Crozy, and I think for exhibition it is superior to any other Canna.

The foliage is of a light green, the growth a little stronger than that of Madame Crozy, the flowers well carried above the leaves and somewhat larger than those of the Crozy type.

The breadth of petal in the new strain is a marked feature which we can expect future hybridizers to still further develop.

Ukiah, Calif. Carl Purdy.

[The photograph of a flower of this new hybrid with one of Madame Crozy for comparison shows it to be almost identical with the variety Austria, which we have already described, although there seems to be more scarlet in the lower petal than is found in the flowers of Austria. It seems strange that in such widely separated countries Mr. Burbank in California and Dammann in Italy should have raised plants at about the same time which are so nearly identical, but these coincidences are common. When seen together the two plants may show differences which we cannot observe in the photograph, but their comparative value, of course, can only be determined by actual trial. Dammann's hybrids, Italia and Austria, have raised the standard of perfection in the flowers of these plants, but the question whether they will have substance enough to stand out-of-doors in this climate has not been settled, and it may be that the southern blood derived from C. flaccida will be seen in a lack of sturdiness. It is to be hoped that an opportunity will soon be offered to try the California hybrid by the side of the Italian one.-ED.]

Fighting the elements

It is a good job that I like watering plants, because although it is only the beginning of June, the start of the Canna growing season in temperate climates, we have already experienced a full seasons weather cycle.

In April, we had a full month of sun shine. The ground was still cold and so it did not bring the Cannas as forward as we would have thought, however, we knew that frosts could still arrive and so we had to hold everything back until we knew that we could take them outside to grow safely. Sure enough, the late frosts arrived. Our precautions were proven sound.

Then May arrived and we suffered a whole month of cold rain, leaving the early growers in a state of confusion. Then, last week we had hail stones pouring down on our newly awoken young plants for 10 minutes, tearing the young foliage like a paper shredder.

There are those that say nothing is happening to our weather, but I don't recall the weather being this unpredictable and changeable half a century ago.

The collection is now planted, except for a few dawdlers who are still under glass trying to hurry them along. The beds of our own named cultivars are planted and starting to fill out with new foliage, but most exciting are the new seedlings for this year. We planted seed later this year, and the results have never been healthier.

I don't think that we will go back again to early seed planting, as we then have to fight the environment with temperature and humidity. We always had some damping off, and suffered up to 10% losses in the seedlings. Starting the planting in April meant that we have had about 10 losses only, about 2%. I believe that within a few weeks we will not be able to detect any difference in size or advancement of these seedlings bursting with vigour, against those germinated in January.

Another Canna virus discovered

Samples of Canna plants coming into the Central Science Laboratory's (CSL's) plant clinic have been found to carry a new virus - Canna yellow streak virus (CaYSV), so reports The Commercial Greenhouse Grower in its June 2007 edition. Dr Rick Mumford, the senior virologist at CSL, said "Typical virus symptoms include flecking, mosaic, leaf streaking and necrosis, which in severe cases renders plants unsaleable. With individual Canna specimens retailing for 15-20 pounds, the losses for commercial growers can be large."

Until CaYSV was found, four different viruses have been reported to infect Cannas, with Canna yellow mottle virus traditionally considered the most important.

Rick Mumford explained: "We are still trying to establish how widespread this new virus is, but preliminary findings show it is consistently found in plants showing severe virus symptoms and hence is likely to be an important cause of virus disease in Canna."

My first feeling was one of despair, yet another virus! But, in fact, this is good news. At last scientists are starting to find out what is wrong. The virus has obviously been there, unrecognised, for many years, now at last it is identified. This also explains why plants that had been cleared of virus in laboratory testing, were subsequently found to exhibit the symptoms described by Doctor Mumford.

We are one step nearer to being able to establish which are clean specimens and which are carrying virus, and corrective action in the form of segregation and culling then becomes a fully practical possibility.

Incidentally, Dr Mumford mentioned 5 separate viruses. The RHS laboratories at Wisley identified three viruses after the 2002 Canna Trials (CYMV, BYMV and Tomato aspermy virus), and I seem to have missed the identification of another one in the interim.

Canna ahead of its time.

Ahead of its time, we have our first flower for 2007 from a seedling of ours, numbered CC192. I know that others in warmer climates will have experienced new flowers earlier, but we are located up in the English midlands, near the northen limits of Cannas growing range.

The cup shaped flower is a delicate pastel yellow with rays of light orange emulating from the throat. The first spike contains about 20 buds, so it looks like it will be a strong bloomer. The green foliage is ovoid and thick; one for lasting through droughts and hail-storms, like we had only 9 days ago.

We have several hundred other numbered seedlings to trial this year, and because of the risk of virus, we are now growing the collection elsewhere, and using the house garden as the nursery for new seedlings and those that make it through to being numbered.

Normally, only a handful of new seedlings will make it through to being named and registered, but they all need to be carefully monitored, and regularly checked, so that nothing is missed. CC192 looks like a winner, but we have to watch out for things like self-cleaning, good leaf unfurling, and how many spikes each stem produces... then how many stems it produces.

Meanwhile, the collection is growing in size again, after the virus culling of the last two years. Already, Canna 'Viva' is in full flower, and in the next few days we will see flowers from C. 'Orange Punch' and C. 'Bavaria'. This early flowering is lifting our spirits after the poor start to the year. I am starting to look forward to going outside at 6am with a cup of coffee and cotton buds, ready to start pollinating again. So, the annual cycle continues...

Curtis's Botanical Magazine, 1787 - today.

From 1787-1800 (Volumes 1-14), William Curtis published The Botanical Magazine. Then, from 1801-1807 (Volumes 15-26), John Sims published Curtis's Botanical Magazine. The Principal artist for both publishers was Sydenham S. Edwards.

The picture on the left is Plate No. 454 from the magazine, and interestingly the textual description accompanying the picture states that the flower colour of Canna indica is "red to pink-red or orange". All of those forms are available today, but most references to Canna indica state that it is red, no reference being made to the other colour forms.

William Curtis (1746-1799) was a trained pharmacist living in London, England, whose greater interest was the study of flora and insects. He maintained a large garden where he grew beautiful exotic plants, and began publishing the Curtis Botanical Magazine in 1787.

Sydenham Edwards was the son of a Welsh schoolmaster. He accompanied William Curtis on his botanical travels as an artist and worked with Curtis many years on the Botanical Magazine. He served as that magazine's principal artist for 27 years, until, following a disagreement in 1815 with John Sims, Curtis' successor, he founded his own magazine, the Botanical Register.

A collection of the first 164 volumes of Curtis's Botanical Magazine is housed at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Although it has gone through many iterations, Curtis' magazine is still being published today.

Liberty Hyde Bailey, Growing Cannas

MANUAL OF GARDENING
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE MAKING OF HOME GROUNDS AND THE GROWING
OF FLOWERS, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES FOR HOME USE
BY
L. H. BAILEY
SECOND EDITION
1910

Cannas are among the most ornamental and important plants used in decorative gardening. They make fine herbaceous hedges, groups, masses, and--when desirable--good center plants for beds. They are much used for subtropical effects (see Plate V).

Cannas grow 3 to 10 feet or more high. Formerly they were valued chiefly for their foliage, but since the introduction, in 1884, of the Crozy Dwarf French type with its showy flowers, cannas are grown as much for their bloom as for their foliage effects. The flowers of these new kinds are as large as those of gladioli, and are of various shades of yellow and red, with banded and spotted forms. These flowering kinds grow about 3 feet high. The older forms are taller. In both sections there are green-leaved and dark coppery-red-leaved varieties.

The canna may be grown from seed and had in bloom the first year by sowing in February or March, in boxes or pots placed in hotbeds or a warm house, first soaking the seeds in warm water for a short time or filing a small notch through the coat of each seed (avoiding the round germinating point). It requires two years to raise strong plants of the old-fashioned tall cannas from seed. Sow in light, sandy soil, where the earth may be kept at 70° till after germination. After the plants have got well up, transplant them to about 3 or 4 inches apart, or place in pots 3 inches wide, in good rich soil. They may now be kept at 60°.

The majority of cannas, however, are grown from pieces of the roots (rhizomes), each piece having a bud. The roots may be divided at any time in the winter, and if early flowers and foliage are wanted, the pieces may be planted in a hotbed or warmhouse in early April, started into growth, and planted out where wanted as soon as the ground has warmed and all danger of frost is over. A hardening of the plants, by leaving the sash off the hotbeds, or setting the plants in shallow boxes and placing the boxes in a sheltered position through May, not forgetting a liberal supply of water, will fit the plants to take kindly to the final planting out.

Plant out roots or started plants when there is no longer danger of frost. For mass effects, the plants may stand twelve to eighteen inches apart; for individual bloom twenty to twenty-four inches or more. Some gardeners plant them not closer than twenty to twenty-four inches for mass beds, if the soil is good and the plants strong. Give them a warm sunny place.

The old (foliage) sorts may be left out late to ripen up the fleshy root-stocks. Cut the tops off immediately after frost. The roots are safe in the ground as long as it does not freeze. Dig, and dry or "cure" for a few days, then winter them like potatoes in the cellar. It is a common mistake to dig canna roots too early.

The French sorts are commonly thought to keep best if kept growing somewhat during the winter; but if managed right, they may be carried over like the others. Immediately after frost, cut off the tops next the ground. Cover the stumps with a little soil and leave the roots in the ground till well ripened. Clean them after digging, and cure or dry them for a week or more in the open air and sun, taking them indoors at night. Then place them away from frost in a cool, dry place.