Cannas in pots

sweet pea Sarah

I have a few Cannas in pots.
ill be getting a poly tunnel next year so will put tenders in there.
i live in the new forest,was thinking of cutting back growth and putting them under a lean too at side of house so they dry out and should be frost protected.Would this be ok.
also any ideas for a colourful pot for winter display to go by door?

Hostafan1

I'd leave the foliage on, even after it's died down . It helps with frost protection.

Fairygirl

I'd echo @Hostafan1with leaving foliage on too.
Are you looking for specific colours @sweet pea Sarah? That usually helps if you want to put several things in one pot. Heucheras are very useful, and you can pop some crocus or dwarf daffs in with them. Add a bit of height with a bronzy grass, and maybe something trailing- even just a small variegated ivy - and that gives a simple look which needs almost no attention.
It also depends on where you're locating it, the type of look you prefer,  and the pot size 

Hostafan1

I'm taking a chance and leaving my cannas in the ground. They're getting too big to A: dig up,and B: store over the winter.

debs64

I left my canna in it’s pot by mistake last year and it came back this summer so that’s the plan from now on, too much trouble to dig things up and store them I find. Dahlias will be left in the ground too to take their chances. I like cyclamen in a winter pot, little pink or red candles to brighten up the dark days 

Fairygirl

I'd have to bring them in the house I think. I left one outside, tucked in against the house wall, with glass over it. Didn't make it. Not sure the wee greenhouse would be enough either, without some fleece or similar. 
As I didn't get around to buying another one - it's not relevant though

punkdoc

The only way I have room to store mine, is to dig them up, chop off the foliage, and keep them in the porch in pots, just slightly moist.

debs64

think it depends on where you are I would think you are fine in the New Forest I lived in Portsmouth for 10 years no real problems with frost or snow 

sweet pea Sarah

Thanks for all your comments,plant ideas great.Debs64 re frost I think they’ll be ok here.

Fairygirl

You could start a new thread asking for ideas too @sweet pea Sarah. That's often better, as not everyone will look in this thread unless they grow Cannas 

Dovefromabove

We just move our canna, in it’s huge pot, into our garage which is frostfree ... of had been since we came here in 2011. We keep an eye on it and remove leaves as they die off, but do not water. 

In the spring we repot it and move it into the warmer and bright studio where it erupts into growth and we give it some tomato food. 

It goes outdoors onto the terrace in mid June.