Canna Yellow Humbert - Indian shot

Canna 'Yellow Humbert' is a tall rhizomatous perennial. From July to October, it produces bright yellow flowers that are irregularly speckled and washed with orange. Its magnificent light green foliage resembles that of a banana tree. This plant is drought-resistant, but will be more beautiful in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It is stunning in large containers and majestic in flower beds. It is not very hardy so can be grown like a dahlia.

Canna 'Yellow Humbert' is a horticultural hybrid, resulting from crossbreeding between C. edulis, or C. indica, a large perennial native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, with C. flaccida, which has wider flowers and spectacular variegation, native to the wetlands of the southeastern United States. All these plants belong to the Cannaceae family, and to the same group as gingers and banana trees. In spring, its thick and knotted rhizome develops a dense clump measuring at least 70cm (28in) wide, composed of large, entire, and pale green leaves, with sheathing bases forming a false stem. From July to the first frosts, thin floral stems, 1.10m (4ft) tall, appear at the centre. The asymmetric flowers are grouped at the top, displaying yellow petals, veined with white and irregularly variegated with orange or red.

Hybrid cannas are majestic and colourful plants, ideal for adding spice to the back of flower beds or planted in large groups on a lawn. Their cultivation is accessible to all. Consider planting them in dense flower beds of about ten bulbs of the same variety, or by mixing green and purple foliage. Canna 'Yellow Humbert' can be used to create stunning exotic-looking container displays. Grow this plant like a dahlia. Dig up the rhizomes before the frost arrives and replant them in spring.