The Red Leaved Canna, also known as the Canna Lily Red Leaves, is arguably one of the best options for anyone looking to add bold color and texture to their garden. Its deep, dark chocolate, red leaves seem to glow in the sun, creating a dramatic and tropical vibe for any garden space. This versatile beauty thrives equally well in water gardens, ponds, bogs, or even in traditional flower beds, provided that its roots remain moist.
Bold Foliage and Brilliant Blooms
The real showstopper of the red leaf canna plant is its foliage. The thin, almost translucent red leaves filter sunlight with an ethereal glow. These brilliant reddish-brown leaves are complemented by an abundance of bright red blooms throughout the summer, adding vibrant color from top to bottom in your garden. Reaching a height of 3 to 5 feet, the red leaf cannas make an excellent backdrop for smaller water garden plants or stand out as a tall centerpiece in container water gardens.
Full Sun and Medium Growth
The Canna Lily Red Leaves thrive in full sunlight but grow at a medium rate, making them easy to maintain for both beginner and experienced gardeners. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, red-leaved cannas attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding the beauty of wildlife to your water garden.
Versatile and Low Maintenance
Canna australis, also known as the red leaf canna lily, is adaptable and suitable for a variety of garden types. While the plant excels in water gardens and bogs, it can also be grown in traditional flower beds as long as the soil remains consistently moist. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to incorporate water-loving plants into their landscape without needing a full pond setup.
Winter Protection
Although easy to grow in warm climates, red leaved canna is a tender plant in Zones cooler than 6 or 7. In colder regions, it’s essential to overwinter the plant indoors, keeping it in a sunny spot during the colder months to protect it from frost and freezing temperatures. With proper care, the red canna will survive the winter and can be returned to your garden or pond in the spring.
Conclusion
The Red Leaved Canna is the perfect choice for adding vibrant color and striking texture to a water garden or landscape. With its ornamental foliage, stunning red flowers, and ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, this plant serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Whether grown in a pond, bog, or container garden, the red leaf canna plant makes a bold, tropical statement with relatively low maintenance in return.
