Giant Canna Ambassador (Black Knight)

Good bulb, just slow growing. Received and planted them later then I would have so still waiting for them to flower but happy that they sprouted and are steadily growing.

This is my second year with the original black knight cannas. I stored the bulbs/rhizomes in peat moss over winter in cool 58 degree basement at seasonal home. They are fuller the second year. Love the tropical look. And prefer the black knight version so far. I also start them indoors in Mid April to get a jump on growing. Hummingbirds love the blooms!

I planted these in large pots - 2 large pots in Chicago suburban location and 2 pots in Berrien County Michigan location. I did use a good mix of garden soil, peat, mushroom compost and even some water retention crystals since there will be times I am away from Michigan location for 2 weeks without watering and they are in containers. All of them grew great and about 4 to 5 ft tall in the pot with multiple long lasting blooms. Hummingbirds love the blooms also. 2019 was first year trying cannas. I just dug up all the bulbs and cleaned them off for next year since I am in zones 5 and 6. Each "bulb mass" is easily 12 inches in diameter with multiple bulbs/rhizomes. the picture of the bulbs is how they multiplied in just two pots. I did have one free variegated Canna Phasion which lived but only grew about 1 foot tall although it might not have received as much sun or attention. going to try my luck with another variety - maybe stuttgart this next year also. Personally think the key to their success was probably a really good mix of soil and organic matter.

I used these cannas to separate one area of my yard from another (sort of like going from one room to another) The foliage is as pretty as the flowers and is a striking background for the daylilies I used in front. I highly recommend these cannas.