Bulbs & tubersIndian shot is a spectacular tuberous plant with large, banana-like leaves and striking flowers in fiery red, orange or yellow from July until the first frost. The plant brings an exotic, tropical look to borders and patios and combines beautifully with ornamental grasses and other late bloomers.
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Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- High
- Height
- 100–200 cm
- Spread
- 40–60 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 7–11
- Family
- Cannaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- red, orange, yellow
- Wildlife value
- butterflies, hummingbirds, bees
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant the tubers in May in a sunny, warm spot in fertile, moist soil. Water generously in summer. Feed fortnightly with potassium-rich fertiliser. After the first frost, lift the tubers, let them dry and store them frost-free in dry material.
Pruning tips
Remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. After the first frost, cut the above-ground parts to about 10 centimetres above the tuber before lifting. No further pruning is needed during the growing season.
Good companions
PerennialsMusa basjoo
Japanese Banana
The Japanese banana is the hardiest banana species in the world and brings a truly tropical feel to the garden with its enormous, fan-shaped leaves. The plant can reach up to four metres tall and grows at astonishing speed. The above-ground parts die back in winter, but the roots survive temperatures down to -15°C and reshoot vigorously in spring.
PerennialsHedychium gardnerianum
Ginger Lily
The ginger lily is an imposing tropical perennial with broad, lance-shaped leaves along tall stems, crowned by large spikes of bright yellow, wonderfully fragrant flowers from August to October. The sweet, exotic scent carries far through the garden atmosphere. With protection the rhizome overwinters in temperate climates.
Bulbs & tubersDahlia pinnata
Garden Dahlia
The dahlia is the queen of the late summer garden, with an overwhelming variety of flower forms and colours. From July until the first frost, this tuberous plant tirelessly produces blooms in red, pink, yellow, or white — from small pompons to dinner-plate-sized flowers. Dahlias make excellent cut flowers lasting weeks in a vase.
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