Can I plant canna rhizomes straight into flower beds in London?

[Primafacie]

If so, when?

I love them, but I don't have a greenhouse to start them off.

Help me, please

it depends VERY much on where and aspect

my cannas are in pots in my polytunnel because they like WARM soil
if your soil is very sheltered then go for it
dig in LOADS of manure so its rich and warm and sunny and then they should be fine
and make sure that if a frost beckons, pop fleece over them
then they should start growing in te next week or two

Thanks Talkin, I was hoping you'd be around :).

My flower bed is fairly sheltered, as it runs along a fence. I think I might have a go. Do you think this is too early? Should I wait until end of April?

what aspect : as cannas are sub tropical - if you can give them poo and water and afternoon sun they should be OK in central London

but it really comes down to soil temperature

South. Lots of light all day long.

I will give them a go.

Thanks for the advice re manure. Should I also put some blood and bone meal in the hole, and give them a top feed (eg miracle gro) every few weeks?

I tend to mix water retaining gel and slow release granules into the planting compost as then they really go for it all season - they are right greedy so and so's

enjoy the display

Thanks Talkin. I've stocked on everything I need, now I just need to get the rhizomes. I will let you know how I get on :)

which varieties are you looking at?
I like Durban, Iridiflora and Wyoming
and if you do not have the plants yet, consider hedychium gardenarum

Poundland had some Canna rhizomes recently , good value

I am so sorry I mixed up canna lilies with zantedeschia. Poundland do have the latter. I do not know if they have canna rhizomes.

I mixed up canna with calla lilies. I should stop now . .

On the positive side ,having seen this thread I am now going to see if I can find some canna rhizomes and plant them in a container as they will make a good addition to my sub tropical patio

Callas are great too
they like it drier than cannas but I actually put my zantedischia hybridpots around the cannas in tubs to hide the plastic

subtropical areas are great fun

make sure you get yourself a little musa basjoo
if you are in a real heat island, try an ensete

and do not forget the various taros and yams as they have cracking foliage

Will look into these TalkinPeace had assumed that they were not hardy enough but just read details on wikipedia. I am in far south west rarely get frosts but will get fleeces ready when it is forecast.

arundo donax is worth a try - cracking stuff
and some of the big blechnum ferns add to the subtropical look
oh and I nearly forgot dahlia imperialis

(I did my subtropical bed before either Christopher Lloyd OR Titmarsh)

I think you have more space than me TalkinPeace ! The dahlia imperialis
looks interesting. I will have a go at the canna first and see if I can find a cheap musa basjoo. I just want to create a place where I can sit outside surrounded by green foliage and gently swaying palms, clasping a sundowner, feeling a gentle breeze, imagining the trade winds , breathing in a heavenly scent. I have a severely disabled child and my chance of returnng to the subtropics are zilch I just want to escape sometimes and also let my son experience it too

my garden is huge but only a small part is now subtropical

go for it and enjoy

Lidl from Thursday 1st May have 65 cm height Canna plants 2 for 8£ Or £4.49 each
Also calla lily various colours in ceramic pot for £5.99

Not sure how this compares to other outlets but have always found Lidl plants good quality

That's very interesting! Thanks Antiopa - will see if I can get some at Lidl tomorrow.

The answer to your question OP is yes. Now. Soon. In a sunny spot.