The canna lily, once a popular landscape plant, has returned this sea-
son as a garden favorite with the introduction of new, exotic leaf
colors and flowers. Cannas are not true lilies, but are closely related
to the family of gingers and bananas. Considered tropical and sub-
tropical, they perform well in Austin area landscapes, providing a
dramatic touch to our gardens.
Flower colors range from red to yellow and orange. Modern varieties
exhibit larger flowers than older cultivars. Breeders have also added
striking leaf colors that contrast well with the flowers.
Cannas need at least 6 hours of sun to perform well. Asleep in the
winter months, they return with the warmth of spring and flower
throughout the summer. They are traditionally cut back in the fall
after the first freeze or frost. A layer of mulch will keep their roots
warm throughout the winter. Some new varieties to look for:
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Australia – deep burgundy, black foliage with magnificent, large
scarlet flowers. This cultivar can grow to 4 to 6 feet in height and
doesn’t fade with the Texas sun.
Pretoria – also known as Bengal Tiger, this cultivar has green and
white striped variegated foliage with hot orange flowers. Popular
with the hummingbirds! Average height – 4 to 6 feet.
Pink Sunburst – this dwarf canna grows to 3 feet and has red, green,
and white variegated foliage with large, pink flowers.
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Cannas also work as container or potted plants, a great way to add
color and accent to patios and entryways. For those who grow water
gardens, cannas easily adapt to an aquatic environment.
(The nursery has 5 gal. cannas for $24.99)
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