Canna Tropicannas and cycads

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Like all plants that grow from bulbs, cannas multiply. I purchased six Canna Tropicannas a few seasons ago from Easy to Grow Bulbs and they have multiplied so now I can divide them and plant them everywhere. I've noticed that they do their best with afternoon shade and lots and lots of water. So plant them in deep, rich soil with plenty of fertilizer, and don't be afraid to water them. A lot.

By the way, the nice cycad in the lower right is a Dioon spinulosum. Beneath it is a little zamia, an ordinary houseplant that I got at Lowe's. The palm tree in the back is a Phoenix roebellini, a dwarf date palm, which are available everywhere here in Phoenix. The purple plants you see used to be called Wandering Jews, although nowadays most places just call them Purple Plants. They are Tradescantia zebrina. Buy a small one, plant it, and then break off stems and replant them around your garden. They root and grow faster than any other plant I've seen. They will grow anywhere, but look their best in shade. The elephant ears (caladiums) are starting to grow back after the nasty freeze we had here last winter. They will get much larger. They also love water!

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