Flowering Plant of the Month (August): Canna lily

Common name: Canna lily.

Latin name: Canna x. generalis.

Planting months: Seeds, January and February; rhizomes, 2 weeks before last frost; transplants, after danger of frost.

Light requirements: Full sun, semi-shade.

Soil requirements: Well drained; loamy soil rich in organic matter; nutrient-enhanced soil.

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Flower colors: Scarlet, yellows, salmon, reds, pinks, orange, rose, coral, reds, mixed.

Leaf color: Green, greenish blue, coppery to purplish, ruby, green with white stripes.

Height: Dwarf, 16 to 18 inches; low growing, 24 to 36 inches; very tall, up to 4 feet.

Spread: Grows upright and spreads from several inches for dwarf to over 12 inches for tall varieties.

Plant spacing: Dwarf, 8 to 9 inches; low growing, 12 to 18 inches; tall, 2 feet.

Note: Valued for large, tropical foliage and brightly colored flowers; good container plants; fertilize and water regularly; for growing tips, go to solutionsforyourlife.com and search for the publication "Cannas in the Florida Landscape"; freezing temperatures knock them back.