Canna 'Carolina Gold'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; dark foliage, oval shaped, maroon margin, spreading habit; oval stems, coloured purple with white farina; flowers are open, self-coloured gold, staminodes are large, edges ruffled, labellum is gold, stamen is gold, style is gold, petals purple with farina, fully self-cleaning, good bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured purple; tillering is prolific.

Introduced by Donnie Hallman, Deerspring Nursery, South Carolina, USA. The breeding is Canna 'Rosy Lear' x Canna 'Louis Cottin'.

Canna 'Cannes'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, spreading habit; oval stems, coloured green; flowers are open, self-coloured carmine, staminodes are large; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink and purple; tillering is average.

Introduced by Vilmorin-Andrieux in 1937.

Canna compacta Roscoe

A medium sized wild species; green foliage, ovoid shaped, branching habit; oval stems, coloured green; spikes of flowers are erect, self-coloured orange-red, staminodes are long and narrow, edges regular, fully self-cleaning; fertile both ways, self-pollinating and also true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink and purple; tillering is prolific.

Species canna introduced to England in 1820 (Johnson’s Dictionary 1856).

Synonyms: C. 'Robert Kemp', C. rotundifolia André, C. 'Tiki Torch', C. 'Tiki Tourche'

Canna 'Compact de Villée'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage; spikes of flowers are cupped, cream with red throat, staminodes are large size, edges irregular, petals yellow, self-cleaning, good bloomer.
Introduced by Raphäel Roger, of Belgium.

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Canna 'Colibri'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, spreading habit; oval stems, coloured green; spikes of flowers are open, pale yellow with pink spots, staminodes are medium size, edges irregular, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and pink; tillering is average.

Introduced by Georges Truffaut, France, EU in 1966. The name is French for "Humming Bird".

Canna 'Candy Shadow'

A medium sized Premier Group cultivar; dark foliage; flowers are open, pink staminodes have attractive red markings, self-cleaning, good bloomer. Introduced by Brian Wiliams of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Canna 'Calimero'

A small Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are yellow with orange-red blotches, edges regular, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and purple; tillering is prolific.

Introduced by Ernest Turc, Angers, France, EU.

Canna 'Burgundy Blush'

A giant Foliage Group cultivar; dark green with a burgundy blush foliage, oval shaped, maroon margin, branching habit; spikes of flowers are erect, self-coloured cherry-red, staminodes are small, low bloomer; fertile both ways, not true to type, self-pollinating, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 7 cm in diameter, coloured purple.

Introduced by David Peterson, USA. A hybrid cross between Canna 'Musaefolia Grande' and C. 'Purpurea floribunda'

Canna 'Burgundia'

A medium sized Italian Group cultivar; green foliage, small, oval shaped, branching habit; triangular stems, coloured green; panicles of flowers are open, red with a wide gold margin, staminodes are large, edges ruffled, labellum is red with a gold margin, petals yellow, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer; seed is sterile, pollen is low fertile; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white; tillering is prolific.

Introduced by C. Sprenger, Dammann & Co., Naples, Italy, EU.

Canna 'Burbank'

A medium sized aquatic Italian Group cultivar, equally at home as a water marginal or in the border; green foliage, ovoid shaped, upright habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are cupped, yellow with red spots, staminodes are large, edges irregular, stamen is yellow, petals green, fully self-cleaning, good bloomer; seed is sterile, pollen is fertile; rhizomes are long and thin, coloured white; tillering is prolific.

Introduced by Luther Burbank, California, USA in 1896. Although a contemporary of C. 'Austria', this cultivar differs by being closer to the wild species C. flaccida in its behaviour. In tropical climates this could become a thug, as it is so prolific. This makes it great for Northern European climates where it thrives in a more controlled way.

Synonyms: C. 'Epiphany', C. 'Sunshine', C. 'Sunshine Yellow'

Canna 'Bubblegum'

Mr Johnny K. Johnson of Kentucky, USA introduced four new varieties in 2003, the last ones he introduced before retiring from hybridizing Cannas after suffering a heart condition. Amongst those introduced was Canna 'Bubblegum'.

Mr Johnson commented that, "The flowers are pink with an almost lavender overlay. Foliage is green. Sylvia Thomas came up with this name, which is a perfect description for this plant. Very pretty and unique! Fertile both ways. 4' (110 cm) tall. "

Canna 'Brillant'

A small Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, white margin, spreading habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, self-coloured cherry-red, staminodes are medium size, edges regular, stamen is gold marked, petals red with farina, fully self-cleaning, low bloomer; fertile both ways, not known if true to type, not self-pollinating, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and purple; tillering is prolific.

Introduced by A. Crozy, Lyon, France. Very similar to C. 'Strasbourg', emminently suitable for pots and tubs. It is a very poor specimen, which makes us wonder if this is the original raised by the breeder, or yet another poor substitution by the horticultural industry. I would not care to put my name to this below average specimen, and it is not recommended.

Synonym: C. 'Brilliant'

Canna 'Breuil'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; oval stems, coloured green; spikes of flowers are open, cardinal-red with a rose-red blush, staminodes are large, edges serrated, petals green, fully self-cleaning, outstanding bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured purple; tillering is average.

Introduced by Vilmorin-Andrieux, France in 1939.

Canna 'Borneo'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; dark green and red variegated foliage, oblong shaped, maroon margin, spreading habit; round stems, coloured green & purple; flowers are open, fuchsia with rose spots, staminodes are large, edges irregular, average bloomer; fertile both ways, not true to type, not self-pollinating, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and pink; tillering is average.

Introduced by Johnny K. Johnson, USA in 2004.

Canna 'Bonnezeaux'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, self-coloured yellow, staminodes are large, edges ruffled, fully self-cleaning, low bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white; tillering is average.

Introduced by Pierre Turc, France.

Canna 'Black Knight'

A small Italian Group cultivar; purple foliage, oval shaped, arching habit; round stems, coloured purple; flowers are reflexed, self-coloured crimson-maroon, staminodes are large, edges regular, petals purple with farina, fully self-cleaning, low bloomer; seed is sterile, pollen is low fertile. 
Introduced by S. Percy-Lancaster, Alipore Cannas, Calcutta, India.  In the collection of the Royal Agri-Horticultural Society , Alipore, Calcutta, India. Dr. Khoshoo & Dr. I. Guha: Evolution of Cultivated Canna 1966. Synonym: C. 'Black Velvet'

Canna 'Barbara Hallman'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; dark foliage, oval shaped, arching habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, cream streaked with pale-rose, staminodes are medium size, edges frilled deep pink, stamen is saffron-yellow, style is saffron-yellow; fertile both ways, not known if true to type, not self-pollinating. 

Introduced by Donnie Hallman, Deerspring Nursery, USA in 2005.

Canna 'Baltazar'

C. 'Baltazar' is a medium sized Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, branching habit; flowers are open, apricot and light-cream, staminodes are large, edges irregular; fertility unknown; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white. Introduced by Bogusław Kucharski, Poland, EU.

Canna 'Biesme-sous-Thuin'

A medium sized Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; flowers are open, pale yellow with old-rose spots, staminodes are large, edges irregular, petals green, fully self-cleaning, good bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules ellipsoid; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white; tillering is average.

Introduced by Raphaël ROGER, Belgium, EU in 2005.

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Canna 'Biercée'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage; spikes of flowers are open,cream with red in the throat, edges irregular, petals red, self-cleaning, good bloomer. Introduced and offered for trial in the 2008 International Canna Trials by Raphäel Roger, of Belgium, EU.

Canna 'Bethany' AGM

A medium sized Italian Group cultivar; variegated green and yellow foliage, oval-acuminate shaped, upright habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, orange (RHS 28B) with yellow (RHS 14B) blotches, staminodes are large, edges irregular; seed is sterile, pollen is low fertile; rhizomes are long and thin, coloured white; tillering is prolific.
This cultivar was discovered by Brian West, who lives at South Cheam on the outskirts of London, growing in his garden as a sport of C. ‘Bengal Tiger’. He named it after the name of his house.
The mutation was described at the 2002 RHS Trials as C. 'Bengal Tiger' with a flower like C. 'Roma'. At the RHS Trials 2002, this cultivar was awarded the coveted AGM, subject to being made available to the UK general public.
Synonyms are Canna "Tropicanna Gold", Canna "Mactro", Canna 'African Gold'

Photographs courtesy of Malcolm McFarland

Canna 'Berenice Emsley'

A medium sized Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, ovoid shaped, branching habit; round stems, coloured green; panicles of flowers are open, self-coloured red, staminodes are large, edges ruffled, petals red with farina, fully self-cleaning, good bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured purple; tillering is average. 
Introduced by Malcolm Dalebö, Claines Canna Collection, Worcester, England, EU in 2006. A seedling of C. ‘Merle Cole’ x C. ‘Jessie Dalebö’.

Canna 'Bengal Tiger'

A medium sized Italian Group cultivar; variegated green and yellow foliage, oval shaped, maroon margin, spreading habit; oval stems, coloured green; panicles of flowers are open, orange and red-orange, staminodes are large, edges ruffled, petals purple with farina, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer; seed is sterile, pollen is low fertile; rhizomes are long and thin, coloured white; tillering is average.

Originated at the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of India, Bengal in the 1950's. It was later taken to South Africa, by Sydney Percy-Lancaster, the Secretary of the Society, when he retired there, hence the synonym of 'Pretoria' when it was 'found' growing there in the late 1960's. Also imported to the USA from India in 1963 by Glasshouse Works. Finally, the name 'Striata' adopted by the RHS is invalid, as that name belongs to a cultivar described in Subtropical Gardening - Robinson 1868, and which is still grown in Europe.

Awards: 2002, 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) in the outdoor trials held at RHS Wisley, under the synonym of C. 'Striata'. 

Synonyms: C. 'African Yellow', C. 'americanallis var. variegata', C. 'aureo-striata', C. 'Damascus Road', C. 'Imperialis', C. 'Kapit', C. 'malaweiensis variegata', C. 'Malaweinses', C. 'malawiensis variegata', C. 'Pallida Variegata', C. 'Panach', C. 'Panaché', C. 'Panaché [France]', C. 'Praetoria', C. 'Pretoria', C. 'Pretoria Dwarf', C. 'Striata (2)', C. 'Striatum', C. 'Striped Wonder', C. 'Zebra Summer', C. 'Zebra Sunset'

Canna 'Bavaria'

A medium sized aquatic Italian Group cultivar, equally at home as a water marginal or in the border; green foliage, oval shaped, spreading habit; flowers are open, yellow with red blotches, throat red, staminodes are large, average bloomer; seed is sterile, pollen is low fertile; rhizomes are long and thin. 

Introduced by C. Sprenger, Dammann & Co., Naples, Italy, EU in 1897. In "Notes on the Orchid-flowering Cannas". Garden & Forest of 29th September 1897, Prof. F. A. Waugh declared that "Italia is a beautiful Canna, to be sure, perhaps the best one of this class yet introduced, but Burgundia and Bavaria are so much like it that a careless observer would pass them by as all of the same kind. Both new varieties are, however, of smaller stature than Italia and have smaller foliage. The flowers in all three are of a brilliant canary-yellow upon which two shades of rich apricot red are successively overlaid. In Italia the red colors are run together in the throat to make somewhat regular solid blotches bordered with very deep bands of the clear yellow, like an exaggerated Queen Charlotte. In Bavaria there is very little of the darker red shade, while the lighter red is scattered in small dots well out upon the petal-like staminodia." 

Synonym: C. 'Sunburst'

Canna 'Baronne de Renowardy'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, self-coloured dull rose-red, staminodes are medium size, edges regular, petals red, fully self-cleaning, outstanding bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink and purple; tillering is average. 

Introduced by Henry A. Dreer Nurseries, Philadelphia, USA in 1892. The earliest reference is Prof. L.H. Bailey, Garden & Forest Journal of 1893. Participated in the 1893 Columbian Exposition.

Canna 'Baronne de Pouilly'

A medium sized Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, upright habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, flamingo pink and pale pink with a fine thin yellow edge, throat clear pink, staminodes are medium size, edges irregular, labellum is rose lined, stamen is pale yellow with pink markings, petals red, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and pink; tillering is average.

Synonym: C. 'Marquise de Poilly'

Canna 'Avon'

A small aquatic cultivar, equally at home as a water marginal or in the border; glaucous green foliage, lanceolate shaped, upright habit; round stems, coloured green; panicles of flowers are open, pale yellow speckled with cerise, staminodes are narrow, edges regular, style is red, petals yellow, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are long and thin, coloured white; tillering is slow. 

Introduced by Malcolm Dalebö, Claines Canna Collection, Worcester, England, EU in 2006. The Claines Canna Aquatics have been bred to populate garden ponds that are just a few metres square, compared with the much larger Longwood Aquatics destined for huge ponds and lakes. Seedling of C. ‘Teme’ x self.

Meat is detroying the planet

Climate change emissions from meat production are far higher than currently estimated, according to a controversial new study that will fuel the debate on whether people should eat fewer animal products to help the environment.

In a paper published by a respected US thinktank, the Worldwatch Institute, two World Bank environmental advisers claim that instead of 18 per cent of global emissions being caused by meat, the true figure is 51 per cent.

They claim that United Nation's figures have severely underestimated the greenhouse gases caused by tens of billions of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and other animals in three main areas: methane, land use and respiration.

Their findings – which are likely to prompt fierce debate among academics – come amid increasing from climate change experts calls for people to eat less meat.

In the 19-page report, Robert Goodland, a former lead environmental adviser to the World Bank, and Jeff Anhang, a current adviser, suggest that domesticated animals cause 32 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), more than the combined impact of industry and energy. The accepted figure is 18 per cent, taken from a landmark UN report in 2006, Livestock's Long Shadow.

"If this argument is right," write Goodland and Anhang, "it implies that replacing livestock products with better alternatives would be the best strategy for reversing climate change.

"In fact, this approach would have far more rapid effects on greenhouse gas emissions and their atmospheric concentrations than actions to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy."

Their call to move to meat substitutes accords with the views of the chairman of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, who has described eating less meat as "the most attractive opportunity" for making immediate changes to climate change.

Lord Stern of Brentford, author of the 2006 review into the economic consequences of global warming, added his name to the call last week, telling a newspaper interviewer: "Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world's resources."

Scientists are concerned about livestock's exhalation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Cows and other ruminants emit 37 per cent of the world's methane. A study by Nasa scientists published in Science on Friday found that methane has significantly more effect on climate change than previously thought: 33 times more than carbon dioxide, compared with a previous factor of 25.

Indian summer over

Britain was hit by storms yesterday as almost a month's worth of rain fell in just one day, putting an end to the Indian summer.

In Worcester we enjoyed temperatures as high as 64F (18C) over the past week. But winds of up to 70mph and heavy downpours hit the county overnight as a deep low pressure tracked across the UK.

Did we worry? No, all the Cannas that we are keeping are snug in our poly tunnels, watered and fed, and the next thing will be frosts that destroy the foliage and flowers that are still working away in the tunnels. There is no prediction of frosts in the next 10 days, so we can concentrate on other gardening activities in the next week or so.

Canna 'Autumn Dragon'

A medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, pink and salmon, throat orange, staminodes are medium size, fully self-cleaning, late bloomer; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and pink; tillering is average. 

Introduced by Donnie Hallman, Deerspring Nursery, USA.