Proteas
Not just any old blossom, protea flowers are blooms with attitude. If you can give them full sun and reasonable drainage, proteas will love you.
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Cannas (Canna x generalis) are a stand out choice for boggy areas in the garden. Not only do they have showy tropical like flowers, they also produce attractive large leaves in deep green or variegated forms to really add a punch of colour to those often neglected areas in the garden.
How to grow Cannas in a garden
- Choose a position in full sun. Can be grown in part shade, however, may be more prone to fungal disease.
- Can be planted in moist boggier soils. For well drained soils, be vigilant with watering.
- Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- When planting potted plants: dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
When planting rhizomes: place rhizome directly where the plant is to grow at a depth of about 5 cm, spacing 50cm apart. - Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
- Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- During the growing and flowering season feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
How to grow Cannas in a pot
- Choose a pot at least 400mm wide.
- Choose a position in full sun. Can be grown in part shade, however, may be more prone to fungal disease.
- Fill pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- When planting potted plants: dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
When planting rhizomes: place rhizome directly where the plant is to grow at a depth of about 5 cm. - Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down.
- Water in well.
- Keep mix moderately moist at all times.
- During the growing and flowering season, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. Throughout the year apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- In winter, once the plant has died back, remove all the dead leaves and branches by cutting it back to the rhizome.
- Clean up plants by removing any damaged leaves or flowers.
- Great for the boggy areas of the garden and can tolerate areas close to swimming pools and polluted areas.
- Cannas don’t respond well to frosts and need some protection in frost prone areas.
- Division can be done in winter by removing and dividing the rhizomes.
- As the plant can spread quite quickly, avoid planting near waterways. Check with your local council for any planting restrictions.
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Recommended products
Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food
Specially formulated to grow all types of flowers. With high potassium for large & abundant flowers, added calcium & iron for stronger flowers.
Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food
Provides your flowers & roses with the balanced nutrients they require for healthy growth and flower production.
Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
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