Family
Cannaceae
Botanical Name
CANNA 'Lucifer'( PFITZER SERIES)
Plant Common Name
Canna, Canna Lily, Lucifer Canna
General Description
A tropical-looking perennial with fleshy rhizomes (underground stems), ‘Lucifer’ canna grows in dense, slightly dwarf clumps of upright green leaves that produce several bare stalks topped by clusters of flowers with red petals outlined in yellow. The flowers open in succession, continue from spring into autumn, and attract hummingbirds. Cut spent stems to the highest leaf before the spent flowers make seeds to encourage the growth of new stems and prolong flowering.
Native to South and Central America, cannas are grown as annuals in temperate zones. Their rhizomes are dug in autumn and brought into a cool, dry garage or basement to overwinter and then planted again in spring after the last frost date. They transplant and divide easily. In milder climates, the rhizomes are hardy in the ground over winter and new leaves emerge in late spring.
Cannas are amazingly adaptable, growing on almost any soil. They do best in full sun and rich, moist to wet soil but can be surprisingly drought tolerant if faced with dry weather. Use ‘Lucifer’in containers, waterside gardens, shallow ponds, massed as a groundcover, or as a bold focal point in a bed or border. Though tolerant of wet soils and shallow water, it does not tolerate deep standing water.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Tropical, Water Gardens
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
No
