Canna indica 'Cleopatra'
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in Phoenix. Avoid reflected heat and intense western exposure, which can scorch foliage.
Water: Moderate to high water needs; keep soil consistently moist during active growth. Water deeply and frequently during extreme heat without leaving soil stagnant. Reduce watering substantially during winter dormancy.
Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil amended with compost. Mulch to conserve moisture and cool roots, keeping mulch away from stem bases.
Mature size: Approximately 3–5 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide per clump, spreading farther over time through rhizomes.
Bloom: Repeated blooms from late spring through fall with adequate moisture and nutrition; flowering may slow during extreme summer heat.
Evergreen / deciduous: Herbaceous perennial; usually winter-dormant in Zone 9b. Frost kills foliage, but established rhizomes generally survive in mulched, well-drained soil.
Growth rate: Fast during warm weather with adequate water and nutrients.