Men’s Choices
JAMES COTTEN’S FAVORITE: Cannas
THE SPECIFICS
Standards (4 to 6 feet) such as ‘Cleopatra’ with stunning yellow, red-streaked flowers make great back-border plants. Semi-dwarf cannas (3 to 4 feet) include ‘Tropicana’ with multicolored foliage and bright orange flowers; ‘Striped Beauty’ with pinstriped foliage and red blooms; ‘Halloween’ with pale yellow flowers; ‘La Bohemia’ with delicate light pink blossoms; and ‘Wyoming’ with deep purple leaves etched in green and apricot blooms. Dwarfs (1 1/2 to 2 feet) are good in front borders, such as ‘China Lady’ with tiny, delicate pink flowers.
THE WORK
* Plant rhizomes in groups of single colors in early spring (March-April) after last frost. Flowers appear by mid-June.
* Cannas grow best in very rich, loamy soil that has sand and compost (or potting mix) in it.
* Introduce rhizomes into beds 3 inches deep and 8 inches apart.
* Cannas also do well in large pots with well-draining soil.
* Grow in full sun, water heavily during blooming period (late spring to very late fall).
* Fertilize once a month with fish emulsion or a granular 14-14-14 fertilizer.
* After flower clusters have bloomed, you can cut stalks back to the ground for aesthetic reasons, though cannas are never really dormant in Southern California.
* Individual blossoms on cut flowers only last one day. Prolong vase life by removing spent flowers, allowing other flowers to bloom along the stem.
DUANE JONES’ FAVORITE: ‘Stargazers’
THE SPECIFICS
These Oriental hybrids offer two to three weeks of magnificent florist-quality blooms. ‘Stargazer’ lilies adapt well to in-ground planting or container growing.
THE WORK
* Order bulbs from fall mail-order catalogs or buy from nurseries; plant February to March for summer or early fall bloom. Bulbs introduced in fall will bloom in spring.
* Locate in full sun in moderate areas, or filtered sun in hotter inland climates. Lilies prefer to have their roots in the shade and benefit from wind protection.
* Plant bulbs at a depth that equals twice their height.
* Plant in loose soil with good drainage (sandy loam is best).
* Provide constant moisture during sprouting and through blooming period.
* Pots require three-parts potting mix and one-part rotted manure.
* Work bone meal into the soil at the bulb’s base.
* When the first sprouts appear six weeks after planting, feed plants with a 2-10-10 fertilizer. Mulch with leaves, straw or aged compost.
* Flower stalks reach a height of 14 inches.
Sources
* Aloha Tropicals, 1247 Browning Court, Vista, CA 92083. (760) 941-0920; https://www.alohatropicals.com. Offers a wide selection of gingers, cannas and other tropical plants. Catalog $3.
* Fullerton Arboretum, California State University, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, CA 92631. (714) 773-3579. Plants are sold in the garden shop from mid-September through July. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Plant sales held every Saturday, October-June, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
* Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024. (619) 436-3036. Offers 26 acres of drought-tolerant plants, including natives, pan-tropicals, hibiscus, palms and cycads. Plants are sold at the nursery and gift shop, Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
* UC Irvine Arboretum, University of California, Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92717. (949) 856-5833. Specializes in Mediterranean plants, African bulbs, perennials and African aloes. Perennial plant sale held in spring; bulb and plant sale in August. Monthly events include plant sales. Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
