Canna
Cannas are tender herbaceous perennials. They prefer a rich, moist soil in a warm, sheltered area of the garden, but can be grow in containers that are sunk into the border soil, so they can be brought in over the winter. Plant out at the end of June and feed with a nitrogen rich feed, changing to potassium rich feed once the flower spikes start to show.
They will continue to flower until first frosts. To protect in the ground over winter, after the first frost, cut the leaves to about 15cm (6in) and cover with straw, tying loosely with twine to stop the straw being blown away. If growing in a pot, after they have been hit by the frost, knock them out of their container, remove all but 15cm (6in) of top growth, remove the soil from the roots/rhizome and keep in trays of dry sand in a garage or dark shed.
Cultivars and varieties:
Seeds to sow now:
Indoor or in a heated greenhouse
Ageratum
Aubergine
Bell pepper, Pepper, Sweet pepper
Cardoon
Celeriac
Celery
Columbine
Coriander
Cress
Floss flower, Ageratum
Forget-me-not
Ornamental pepper
Pepper
Outside
Antwerp hollyhock, Fig-leaved hollyhock, Hollyhock
Aubretia, Rock cress, Aubrieta, Aubrietia
Beetroot
Beetroot, Garden beet
Borecole, Kale
Bristly hollyhock
Broccoli
Brussels sprout
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Kohl rabi
Normandy sorrel
Onion
Ornamental winter kale
Radish
Spinach
Spinach, Summer spinach
Spring onion
Sweet corn
Sweet pea
Turnip
Outside under cover
French marigold
Marrow
Onion
Snapdragon
Sweet corn
