Canna altensteinii (Giant Indian Shot Plant)

A luxuriant tender perennial of walloping proportions, up to 3m (9ft) with majestic bright green foliage and vibrant orange flowers in summer. One of our most exotic and impactful stunners for the summer garden. They shove up really well alongside Trachycarpus palms and other explosive shapes like Phormiums and Yuccas: a startling and exciting composition that will transport you to Rousseau’s Tahiti. Despite their way-out tropical aesthetic, they’re surprisingly good in breezy places – we’ve seen some superb ones on roundabouts in blustery Normandy and a fine sight they were. For best results, plant cannas in a warm, sunny position in rich, moist soil. They’re greedy: all that foliage needs nourishing so be generous with organic matter. They can be overwintered in the mildest spots, but it’s probably best to dig ‘em up in the autumn and store the roots in dry peat somewhere frost-free over winter. Excellent grown in a pot, where they can be lugged into a frost-free shed or conservatory for the sharpest months. As the roots bulk up (and oh my, they will), they can be divided and re-potted very easily.