Canna musifolia - Banana leaf canna (Orange flowering)

Canna musifolia - Banana-leaf Canna (Orange flowering)

Pot Size: 1 Gallon 

Canna Musifolia has orange blooms, but is best known for its gorgeous burgundy foliage.  Easy-to-grow rhizomatous herbaceous perennial with erect stems with showy ovate leaves topped with orange flowers.  Used for borders, container, water gardens and naturalistic tropical-look gardens. Deadhead for continued flowering.

Canna may enter dormancy after frost. In this case, let the leaves die back naturally, then cut them at ground level. Mulch for extra protection from freezing weather, if necessary. Safe to leave rhizomes in the ground for winter.

Size: 3-6 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide

Sun: Full to partial sun; 4 hours minimum for strong red foliage color.

Water: Moderate to high; enjoys wet conditions at edge of pond. Water deeply weekly in landscape once established. Mulch helps.

Soil: Not too fussy, prefer fertile, loamy soils that retain water.

Bloom: Orange in summer-long season

Other Notes and Uses: Used for borders, container plants, and water gardens, tropical gardens, and naturalistic gardens. Most deer will leave canna alone. 

(Photo credit: N. Flechsig)