The colorful leaves of the 'Tropicana' Canna Lily

In the last few years this relatively new Canna lily has cropped up in nurseries everywhere. It is one of the most colorful foliage plants you will find anywhere, yet it grows in many areas where your more delicate, showy plants wouldn’t have a chance. The Tropicana Canna is drought tolerant yet handles so much moisture that it can be grown as a bog plant in a pond. Although it supposed to take only full sun, it will accept some shade, too. The large leaves unfurl in bronze, ruby red, pale yellow and slightly green-etched stripes. The “Tropicana” Canna is not as delicate as its name implies. It is hardy to 20′F (sometimes lower), dying down to its tubers (long swollen roots somewhat like narrow sweet potatoes) in the wintertime only to reappear in the early spring. Leaves will be burnt back at the first frosts.  Tough colorful leaves tolerate heavy winds so long as they have a wall reasonably nearby. They grow from 2 ½ ‘(dwarf varieties) to 6’ tall. Use this flamboyant plant wherever you want a splash of bold color to accent the ordinary green of most gardens, especially when out of flower. The leaves give a tropical feel to any design and the size and stature make a sculptural statement wherever placed. As if the showy leaves weren’t enough, “Tropicana” Canna crowns itself with a bouquet of brilliant orange flowers that should be removed when they wilt to make room for new flowers and more leaves. This plant is worth every penny you spend on it. And it will cost a few cents more than most other cannas since the variety is still under patent.

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