~cannas, my friend Candice and Britney Spears~

  

~Canna americanallis var. variegata 'Pretoria'~

~~~~~

A few days ago I posted a grayscale image of the variegated foliage of 'Pretoria' - I like the striking pattern on the leaves, and for many years I've cut off the flowers.  This year I didn't, and I must say that the bright yellow and orange flowers in combination with the variegated foliage is...something that I never thought I'd hear myself say that I like.

But I do.

I mean, striking is striking.  This canna is not shy about having it's presence known.  In fact, it's screaming about as loud as a plant can scream.

(Do you think Britney Spears would like this canna?  I'm guessing so.)

And while I'm on the topic of unusual combinations, I laughed for much of the day over something a friend from graduate school told me yesterday.  We both worked in labs in the same building - she was working on her doctorate in horticultural - and she's now at Kansas State University on the faculty.  Well, it seems that a few months ago, she was quoted in an article about Britney Spears and her new-found love of gardening.

From a piece in the UK's The Sun titled 'Why Britney digs getting dirty':

 BRITNEY Spears is getting down and dirty in the garden to overcome her health demons.

The troubled star, who has battled booze and drug problems, is a fan of flower therapy.

A source close to the star says: "Britney has tried every kind of therapy going. This time seems different though. She's committed to learning as much as she can about horticulture and how it impacts your well being."

And there are plenty of studies confirming the health benefits of digging the beds.

Researchers at Kansas State University found gardeners have better overall physical health, self-esteem and hand strength.

Candice Shoemaker, professor of horticulture at the university, says: "If we had a larger sample I think we would see more health differences between those who garden and those who don't, including in areas like sleep quality and life satisfaction."

I'm guessing Candice never imagined that she'd be quoted in an article about Britney Spears.

And I never imagined that I'd like bright, crazy-orange flowers on top of such spectacular (and loud) canna leaves.

The world is indeed an interesting place.

~Canna americanallis var. variegata 'Pretoria'~

~~~~~

Comments

[Janet]

What can one say about Britney? Why would one want to? Getting surly in my old age---think her 15 minutes are up. As for the study about gardeners, I agree! (And I have seen the K State Botanical Gardens! Beautiful!)

[Layanee]

Black and white of the canna looks superb. Really shows off the texture doesn't it? Briney who? Michael who?

[Pam]

Janet, I've not seen their gardens - so fun to hear they are so nice.

Layanee, funny - in lab meeting today we talked about Michael Jackson. It was funny, hearing different views of him - seemed to be a generational thing. As for Britney - well, don't know much there.

[Annie in Austin]

I've grown Praetoria under its other name, Bengal Tiger, for years and never cut off the flowers... if this means I have something in common with Britney, boy, will Philo be surprised! Maybe I like plants that shout.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose