ORIGIN ARMSTRONG, R. HEIGHT Small , less than 65cm (2′) FOLIAGE Green FORM Branching FLOWERS Red
CannaBrandywine(2) is a small Conservatory Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, red margin, branching habit; round main stems, coloured green + purple; triangular flower stems, coloured green; clusters of flowers are open, self-coloured scarlet, staminodes are medium size, edges regular, petals red with farina, fully self-cleaning, good bloomer, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink and purple; tillering is average.
An earlier specimen with the same name competed in the 1908 outdoor Canna trials at Wisley, a Crozy Group, orange-scarlet with dark foliage. The breeder was Antoine Wintzer of The Conard & Jones Co., West Grove, PA, USA.
Plant Introductions, Robert J. Armstrong Geneticist Longwood Gardens 1967-1999
Bright red flower, green foliage. Breeder: R.J. Armstrong, of Longwood Gardens, USA
Ian Cooke, The Gardeners Guide to Growing Cannas
(S) Flowers are orange-red with yellow centres and burnished gold on the lip. The green leaves have dark margins. It was raised by Longwood Gardens and first flowered in 1984. (This name was also used for a cultivar described in Henderson’s 1909 catalogue as having bronze leaves and red flowers, dappled crimson and edged yellow. It is believed that this earlier cultivar is no longer available). Breeder: R.J. Armstrong, of Longwood Gardens, USA
Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Summer 2002, Internet
A dwarf cultivar from Longwood Gardens, perfect for the summer border in and amongst perennials and annuals as well as the front of the tropical garden, dark red flowers and medium green leaves.
KAVB International Canna Checklist, September 2004
Main colour of flower; scarlet (RHS 44B), leaf green with a red margin, hybridized by R.J. Armstrong, USA and registered by: Longwood Gardens, USA Breeder: R.J. Armstrong, of Longwood Gardens, USA
Summary: Another special canna from the Longwood Gardens breeding programme. A small beauty with a rich red flower, and green leaves.
Karchesky and Harris 2006
Larger pretty orangish-red flowers with yellow centers and green leaves with red margins. Shorter height. Origin: Longwood Gardens Breeder: R.J. Armstrong, of Longwood Gardens, USA
ORIGIN Longwood Gardens HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Green FORM Branching FLOWER White
Canna ‘Chesapeake’ is a medium sized Conservatory Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; oval stems, coloured green; panicles of flowers are open, self-coloured cream, staminodes are large, edges regular, petals yellow, fully self-cleaning, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white; tillering is average.
ORIGIN ARMSTRONG Robert HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Glaucous green FORM Upright FLOWER Yellow
Canna ‘Conestoga’ is a medium sized Conservatory Group cultivar; glaucous green foliage, lanceolate shaped, upright habit; oval stems, coloured green; flowers are cupped, self-coloured yellow (RHS 7D), staminodes are medium size, edges regular, fully self-cleaning, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are long and thin, coloured white; tillering is average.
Our earliest reference to this specimen is Plant Introductions, Robert J. Armstrong Geneticist Longwood Gardens 1967-1999.
The Canna Conservatory Group consists of cultivars that have been raised specifically to satisfy the growing conditions in conservatories, or have been found to be suitable for that purpose.
The growing conditions in a conservatory are quite specialised and do not suit many cultivars, this group have been selected for thriving in this environment, required features being plant vigour, early flowering, foliar appearance, self-cleaning ability and good propagation qualities.
The originator of this group was Robert Armstrong (geneticist) while he was working at Longwood Gardens in the United States in 1967.
In 1907 and 1908 the RHS, at Wisley, held Canna Trials both indoors in 1907 and outdoors in 1908. The differences between the two trials shows why specialist cultivars were considered desirable by Longwood gardens.
ORIGIN ARMSTRONG Robert HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Bronze FORM Branching FLOWER Pink
Canna ‘Constitution’ is a medium sized Conservatory Group cultivar; bronze foliage, oval-acuminate shaped, branching habit; oval stems, coloured purple; flowers are open, self-coloured pink (RHS 54C), throat cream, staminodes are large, edges irregular, stamen is yellow with pink markings, blooms open in the early morning; fertility unknown; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and pink; tillering is average.
Our earliest reference to this specimen is Plant Introductions, Robert J. Armstrong, Geneticist at Longwood Gardens 1967-1999.
ORIGIN ARMSTRONG Robert, 1972 HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Green FORM Branching FLOWER Pink
Canna ‘Delaware’ is a medium sized Conservatory Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; triangular stems, coloured green; panicles of flowers are open, self-coloured coral-pink, staminodes are medium size, fully self-cleaning, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink; tillering is slow.
Canna ‘Independence’ is a medium sized Conservatory Group cultivar; green foliage, ovoid shaped, transparent margin, branching habit; oval main stems, coloured green; spikes of flowers are open, self-coloured lemon (RHS 9A), staminodes are medium size, edges regular, stamen is primrose-yellow, petals yellow, fully self-cleaning, low bloomer, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white; tillering is slow.
The cultivar is a very slow at tillering, and so is in short supply and is very difficult to obtain.
Plant Introductions, Robert J. Armstrong Geneticist Longwood Gardens 1967-1999
Bright yellow flowers, green foliage.
Ian Cooke, The Gardeners Guide to Growing Cannas
(M) The large, lemon-yellow flowers are copiously produced. It has green leaves with transparent margins. This cultivar is shy at producing rhizomes, so is often difficult to obtain. It was raised by Longwood Gardens in 1977.
Canna ‘Lenape’ is a medium sized Conservatory Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, transparent margin, branching habit; oval main stems, coloured green; triangular flower stems, coloured green; flowers are cupped, yellow (RHS 12A-C) heavily spotted with red (RHS 33A), staminodes are large, edges regular, petals yellow, fully self-cleaning, good bloomer, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white; tillering is average.
Canna ‘Lenape’ cannot receive the AGM recommended to it in the 2002 RHS Canna Trials until it is available for purchase in the UK.
Plant Introductions, Robert J. Armstrong Geneticist Longwood Gardens 1967-1999
Bright yellow flowers with red spots, green foliage.
Ian Cooke, The Gardeners Guide to Growing Cannas
(M) Yet another of the Longwood Cannas raised in 1984. This one has funnel-shaped flowers of bright golden-yellow heavily peppered with large, red spots. Petals are spooned. It has green leaves with transparent margins.
Royal Horticultural Society, England – Canna Trial 2002
AGM after trial at Wisley 2002 from Longwood Gardens. Yellow flowers spotted with red.
KAVB International Canna Checklist, September 2004
Main colour of flower yellow (RHS 12A-C) with red (RHS 33A) stippels, hybridized by R.J. Armstrong, USA and registered by: Longwood Gardens, USA
Summary: An AGM winner in 2002, a medium sized clump of green foliage, with transparent margins. Funnel-shaped flowers of bright golden-yellow are heavily peppered with large red spots. A true winner.
Size: Medium height.
Flower: Funnel-shaped flowers of bright golden-yellow heavily peppered with large, red spots. Petals are spooned.
Foliage: Green leaves with transparent margins.
Origin: Hybridised by Longwood Gardens, USA in 1984.
Awards: Canna ‘Lenape’ cannot receive the AGM recommended to it in the 2002 RHS Canna Trials until it is available for purchase in the UK.
We purchased ours in 2004 from Cotswold Garden Centre as a packaged rhizome from Dutch growers and we would presume that this constraint will be lifted shortly, and the award will be granted unreservedly.
A DISCUSSION ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE CANNACEAE FAMILY; OF INTEREST TO GARDENERS, COLLECTORS, AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE.
