Across the city, thousands of Cannova plants create vibrant displays that residents and visitors enjoy throughout the summer season. The project shows how well the variety performs in demanding urban landscapes.
A large-scale planting that proved its value
The story began in 2017, when Vienna’s parks department selected Canna Cannova as part of its summer planting scheme. The project included around 80,000 plants. Cannova ‘Orange Shades’ added striking colour to many locations across the city. The plants appeared in roundabouts, flower beds, borders, and parks, giving Vienna a lively summer look.
Tested and selected for performance
Vienna carefully evaluates new plants before using them on a large scale. The city tests potential candidates at Hirschstetten Gardens, a public trial garden covering 60,000 m². During these trials, Cannova quickly showed its strengths. According to municipal gardener Robert Honeder, the variety met all key requirements for city planting: “We plant the city with the summer planting scheme in May. A canna which already has buds then and offers early and repeat flowering has a higher decorative value for a longer period. And we are always on the lookout for low-maintenance varieties. Cannova is our benchmark.”
His colleague Stefan Wessely also highlighted the design value of the plant: “The scheme must embody a ‘meadow-like character’; airy, playful, lively and with different heights.”
Cannova’s dynamic growth and strong flowers fit this style well. The plant adds height, movement, and bright colour to mixed plantings.
Canna Cannova: award-winning recognition
Cannova’s performance also gained recognition beyond municipal landscapes. In the United Kingdom, several varieties received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society. Red Shades, Yellow, Rose, and Bronze Scarlet earned the award after extensive testing in the northern European climate. The AGM label helps landscape professionals and gardeners identify varieties that deliver reliable garden performance, strong resistance, and long-lasting value.
Urban planting in public spaces
Cities across Europe invest more in green public spaces. Urban planting supports healthier environments and improves the quality of life for residents. Vienna stands among the leaders in this approach. Public plantings also help raise awareness of the importance of nature in cities, especially for younger generations. As Friederike van der Boon, Head of Marketing EMEA at Takii Europe, explained during the project:
“Public green spaces are not just attractive decorations. They can also become an important platform with an educational goal. By bringing together knowledge and resources, we might be able to create innovative green spaces which inspire residents.”
Why Cannova performs so well in landscaping
Cannova brings refined botanical colour to public landscapes. The series offers a rich palette of expressive shades and unique colour combinations. High-quality foliage in green or bronze adds depth and contrast, creating a strong and elegant look throughout the season. Several qualities make Cannova a reliable choice for professional landscaping:
- Botanical colour – A rich palette with distinctive shades and combinations that add visual impact in public plantings.
- Quality in every detail – Premium flowers combined with high-quality foliage in green or bronze create a refined overall appearance.
- Balanced plant architecture – Strong branching and natural fullness give stability and structure in borders, parks, and roundabouts. Flowers rise clearly above the foliage for strong visibility.
- Confidence and consistency – F1-hybrid genetics ensure uniform growth and predictable results across large plantings.
- Long seasonal performance – Plants flower from spring until the first frost and adapt well to both cooler and warmer summer conditions.
With its proven trackrecord in cities such as Vienna and several international awards, Cannova gives landscapers and municipalities confidence in every planting.
