The tropical look obtained with canna and calla lily bulbs [1] provides a wonderful way to add lush green foliage, as well as some color, to the summer palette of blooming annuals. Like other summer blooming bulbs such as gladiolus, tuberous begonia and dahlias, canna and calla lilies will not survive our cold winters. After a frost has killed the foliage, carefully dig up the large rhizomes, removing as much of the soil that will come away easily. Cut the stems and foliage back 2 to 3 inches, hose off any remaining soil [2], and let the rhizomes air dry, also referred to as curing, in the garage for a few days. Then place the bulbs in a paper bag and store them in a cool dark area of your home where the temperature stays between 40 and 50 degrees.

In the spring, the rhizomes can be divided - just be sure that each division has an eye or growing point on it. Also, allow the cut surfaces of the rhizomes to dry for a few days before planting them. This permits the wound to scab over before being exposed to any detrimental organisms that might be in the soil.