ORIGIN JOHNSON J.K. HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Glaucous green FORM Upright FLOWER Multi-coloured
Canna ‘Autumn Gold’ is a medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; glaucous green foliage, lanceolate shaped, upright habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are cream and pink, edges regular, labellum is pink, style is pink, 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 long and thin, coloured white; tillering is prolific.
References
Ian Cooke, The Gardeners Guide to Growing Cannas
(T) Although I have only seen this in one USA collection, it is a distinct cultivar. The tall habit and grayish-green, lance-shaped leaves would suggest that is has C. glauca in its parentage. The flowers are medium-sized and quite upright, with narrow petals. The overall colour is cream with a touch of pink, accentuated by a curling pink lip and a prominent pink stigma. The effect is quite elegant. If it has C. glauca in its parentage, it is likely that this would perform as a water Canna. It was introduced by Johnny Johnson in the late 1990’s. Breeder: Johnny K. Johnson
Rivendell Botanic Garden, List January 2001
Small yellow with pink stripes; green leaves, tall, fat rhizomes
ORIGIN JOHNSON J.K. HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Dark green FORM Branching
Canna ‘Aztec’ is a medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; dark green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, orange with a yellow margin, 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; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink and purple; tillering is average.
Our earliest reference to this specimen is Rivendell Botanic Garden, List January 2001.
ORIGIN JOHNSON J.K., 1990’s HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FLOWERS Pink FOLIAGE Green FORM Branching
Canna ‘Brenda Elaine’ is a medium sized Crozy Group cultivar; green foliage, large, oval shaped, branching habit; round stems, coloured green; flowers are open, self-coloured shell-pink, throat yellow speckles, staminodes are large, edges ruffled, 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 and pink; tillering is average.
Another cultivar that I observed in a private collection. It has exquisite flowers of a clear shell-pink with touches of yellow in the throat. The petals are large and slightly waved giving a sophisticated effect. The leaves are large, shiny and green. This was introduced by Johnny Johnson in the 1990’s and named after his wife.
ORIGIN Johnny K. Johnson HEIGHT Medium, 1-2 metres FOLIAGE Green FORM Branching FLOWER Pink FLOWERING Average bloomer
Canna ‘Bubblegum’ is a medium sized Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, oval shaped, branching habit; oval stems, coloured green; flowers are open, pink with a lavender blush, staminodes are medium size, edges regular, fully self-cleaning, average bloomer, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not self-pollinating or true to type, capsules globose.
Given this very appropriate name by Mrs Sylvia Thomas.
Flowers are pink with an almost lavender overlay. Foliage is green. Sylvia Thomas came up with this name, which is a perfect description for this plant. Very pretty and unique! Fertile both ways. 4′ (110 cm) tall. Breeder: Johnny K. Johnson
OriginJOHNSON Johnny K. HeightSmall FoliageDark FormSpreading FlowerRed BloomingOutstanding bloomer TilleringProlific
Canna ‘India Prince’ is a small Foliage Group cultivar; dark foliage, oval shaped, maroon margin, spreading habit; round main stems, coloured red; spikes of flowers are erect, self-coloured deep-crimson, staminodes are long and narrow, edges regular, petals red with farina, fully self-cleaning, outstanding bloomer, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not true to type, self-pollinating, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured pink and purple; tillering is prolific.
Grown primarily for its foliage, ‘India Prince’ has red edges to its large, bright, wavy, green leaves. When younger the leaves have a dusky blush which vanishes as they mature.
JJ originally wanted to call this ‘Taj Mahal’ and told of how he was asked what the name meant. He replied that it was a palace of an Indian Prince. That name was more popular and won the day with nurserymen.
Summary: Grown primarily for its foliage, ‘Taj Mahal’ has red edges to its large, bright, wavy, green leaves. When younger the leaves have a dusky blush which vanishes as they mature.
Size: Up to 1m (3’3″), strong clumper.
Flower: Intense dark red smaller-type flowers with red stems.
Foliage: Red edges on its larger bright wavy green leaves. Those same leaves have dark shadows during their young period.
Origin: Johnny K. Johnson, USA. JJ originally wanted to call this ‘Taj Mahal’ and tells how he was asked what the name meant. He replied that it was a kind of India Prince. That name was more popular and won the day.
OriginJOHNSON Johnny K. HeightSmall FoliageVariegated FormSpreading FlowerYellow BloomingAverage bloomer TilleringAverage
Canna ‘Munchkin’ is a small Crozy Group cultivar; green and pale yellow variegated foliage, ovoid shaped, spreading habit; oval main stems, coloured green; triangular flower stems, coloured green; flowers are open, yellow with red spots, staminodes are medium size, fully self-cleaning, average 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 white and pink; tillering is average.
Munchkin is sometimes reputed to be a synonym of Kansas City but it was developed long before that cultivar was discovered. Large fawn spots on yellow petals sit tidily above the attractive variegated foliage.
Summary: Munchkin’ is sometimes reputed to be a synonym of Kansas City but it was developed long before that cultivar. Large fawn spots on yellow petals sit tidily above the attractive variegated foliage.
Size: Height 80 cm.
Flower: Large fawn spotted yellow flowers Aug-Oct.
Foliage: Broad green foliage with irregular, variegated streaks of lemon-yellow and lime.
Origin: A seedling developed by Johnny K. Johnson, me’n Rosebud Inc., USA.
OriginJOHNSON Johnny K. HeightSmall FoliageGreen FormUpright FlowerWhite TilleringAverage
Canna ‘Porcelain Petals’ is a small Premier Group cultivar; green foliage, broadly oblong shaped, white margin, upright habit; round main stems, coloured green; spikes of flowers are open, cream with a pale pink blush, throat pale pink, staminodes are large, edges irregular, petals purple, fully self-cleaning, 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.
Proving to be a force as both a seed parent and pollen parent, producing many interesting new seedlings.
Flowers are cream to yellow with a pink to rose center. When fall arrives, the flowers even turn totally pink. Foliage is green. Very compact plant. Very pretty. Fertile both ways. 3′ tall
Summary: Cream to yellow with a pink to rose centre. Well balanced green leaves on a small, patio sized plant.
Size: Small
Flower: Cream to yellow with a pink to rose centre.
Foliage: Green.
Origin: Johnny K. Johnson, Kentucky, USA, assisted by Rosebud.
OriginJOHNSON Johnny K. HeightGiant FoliageDark FormSpreading FlowerRed TilleringProlific
Canna ‘Sky Hawk’ is a giant Foliage Group cultivar; dark chocolate foliage, very large, ovoid shaped, maroon margin, spreading habit; oval main stems, coloured green + purple; spikes of flowers are erect, self-coloured orange-red, staminodes are long and narrow, edges regular, fully self-cleaning, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not true to type, self-pollinating, capsules round; rhizomes are thick, up to 7 cm in diameter, coloured white and purple; tillering is prolific.
The giant of our collection. J.J. excelled himself with this one. Red-edged, chocolate coloured gigantic leaves on red stems. The flowers are carried so high you won’t reach them without a ladder. They are long spikes of large orange/red orchid shaped blooms. Size up to 3.3m (11′).
Summary: The giant of our collection. Red-edged, chocolate coloured gigantic leaves on red stems. The flowers are carried so high you won’t reach them without a ladder. They are long spikes of large orange/red orchid shaped blooms.
Size: Over 3.3m (11′)
Flower: Long spikes of large orange/red blooms.
Foliage: Red-edged large dark leaves. Red stems.
Origin: Raised by Johnny K. Johnson, USA.
OriginJOHNSON Johnny K. & Rosebud ParentageCannaindica x C. indica var. lumbautum HeightMedium FoliageGreen FormBranching FlowerMulti-coloured BloomingLate bloomer TilleringProlific
Canna ‘Torchlight’ is a medium sized Foliage Group cultivar; green foliage, oblong shaped, branching habit; spikes of flowers are erect, red-orange and orange-yellow, staminodes are long and narrow, edges regular, fully self-cleaning, late bloomer, blooms open in the early morning; fertile both ways, not true to type, self-pollinating, capsules globose; rhizomes are thick, up to 3 cm in diameter, coloured white and purple; tillering is prolific.
Summary: Small, attractive bicoloured orange/red and yellow flowers. Different colour combinations being present on the same plant.
Size: Medium height, creates strong growing, elegant clumps.
Flower: Small, attractive bicoloured orange/red and yellow flowers. Different colour combinations being present on the same plant.
Foliage: Large tropical green foliage.
Origin: Hybridised by Johnny Johnson, Me’n Rosebud. Inc, USA in 1996.
A direct cross between C. indica and C. lumbautum.
A DISCUSSION ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE CANNACEAE FAMILY; OF INTEREST TO GARDENERS, COLLECTORS, AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE.
