Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Choose Dark-Leaf Canna Lilies?
- Understanding Musifolia: The Giant Canna
- Best Dark Red and Purple Varieties
- Planting Your Canna Lily Rhizomes
- Essential Care for Lush Growth
- Overwintering Canna Lilies
- Designing with Tropical Foliage
- Summary of Canna Care
- FAQ
Introduction
Imagine stepping into your backyard and feeling like you have been transported to a tropical island. Canna lilies offer an instant vacation vibe with their oversized leaves and brilliant blooms. These plants are the heavy hitters of the summer garden, providing architectural height and vibrant color when other plants might begin to fade in the heat.
At Longfield Gardens, we enjoy helping you find the perfect plants to turn your outdoor space into a sanctuary. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a small sunny balcony, canna lily bulbs are versatile enough to fit anywhere. They are easy to grow and reward even the most novice gardener with a spectacular show of foliage and flowers.
This guide focuses on the most dramatic members of the canna family. We will explore canna lily bulbs with dark red and purple foliage, as well as the towering Tall Cannas. You will learn how to plant, care for, and design with these stunning tropical giants to create a high-impact landscape.
Why Choose Dark-Leaf Canna Lilies?
Most gardeners think of flowers first, but foliage is the true backbone of a beautiful garden. Green leaves are lovely, but dark red and deep purple foliage adds a layer of sophistication and contrast. These moody tones make every other color in your garden pop.
Dark-foliaged cannas are particularly effective because their leaves are so large. When the sun hits a deep burgundy or purple leaf, it can look like stained glass. This visual interest starts the moment the first shoots emerge from the ground and lasts until the first frost of autumn.
Beyond their beauty, these varieties are incredibly tough. The darker pigment in the leaves often helps the plant handle intense summer sun without scorching. They act as a perfect "thriller" in large containers or a bold backdrop in a mixed perennial bed.
Understanding Musifolia: The Giant Canna
The name Canna Musifolia comes from the word Musa, which is the genus for bananas. One look at these cannas and you will understand why. They feature enormous, paddle-shaped leaves that look exactly like those of a banana tree.
The Scale of Musifolia
Musifolia cannas are among the tallest varieties available. While some dwarf cannas stay under three feet, a healthy Musifolia can easily reach eight to ten feet in a single season. This makes them an excellent choice for creating a temporary privacy screen or a focal point in the center of a circular driveway.
Texture and Movement
Because the leaves are so large, they catch the wind beautifully. They add a sense of movement and sound to the garden that smaller plants simply cannot provide. The leaves of the most common Musifolia variety are green with distinct bronze or burgundy edges and ribs, giving them a multi-toned look.
Flowering Style
Unlike some of the modern "Italian-style" cannas that have huge, floppy flowers, Musifolia varieties typically produce smaller, more delicate blooms. The flowers are usually a bright reddish-orange. While the blooms are pretty, most gardeners grow Musifolia for the incredible scale and texture of the foliage.
Key Takeaway: If you need height and a "wow" factor, Musifolia is your best choice. It provides the look of a banana plant but is much easier to grow from a simple rhizome.
Best Dark Red and Purple Varieties
If you are looking for the deepest colors possible, several specific varieties stand out. We maintain a trial garden at Longfield Gardens to evaluate how different plants perform, and these varieties consistently rank as favorites for their rich color and vigor.
Canna 'Australia'
This is often considered the gold standard for dark-foliaged cannas. The leaves are a deep, satiny burgundy that looks almost black in certain lights. Unlike some varieties that fade to green as the summer progresses, 'Australia' holds its intense color all season long. It produces glowing red flowers that create a stunning monochromatic look against the dark leaves.
Canna 'Black Knight'
For a regal look, 'Black Knight' is hard to beat. It features dark, chocolate-maroon foliage and deep crimson flowers. It typically grows to about four or five feet tall, making it a great middle-of-the-border plant. The dark leaves provide a perfect foil for bright yellow or orange companion plants.
Canna 'Tropicanna' (Phasion)
While not a solid purple, 'Tropicanna' is a must-mention for lovers of dark foliage. Its leaves are a psychedelic mix of purple, green, yellow, and bright pink. As the leaves mature, the purple tones become more prominent. It is a fast grower and works exceptionally well in large patio pots.
Planting Your Canna Lily Rhizomes
Getting your cannas off to a good start is simple. They are not particularly fussy, but they do have a few "must-haves" to reach their full potential. Success starts with the right location and timing.
Choosing the Spot
Cannas are sun worshippers. To get those deep red and purple colors to develop fully, they need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. In shady spots, the colors may appear dull or lean more toward green.
They also love moisture. In their native tropical habitats, cannas often grow near the edges of ponds. While they don't need to be in a swamp, they should not be allowed to dry out completely. A spot with rich, organic soil that holds moisture well is ideal.
When to Plant
Cannas are tropical plants and have zero tolerance for frost. Wait until the soil has warmed up and all danger of frost has passed in your area. This is usually around the same time you would plant tomatoes or basil. If you want a head start, you can plant them in pots indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost and move them outside once it is warm.
Planting Depth and Spacing
For a step-by-step planting guide, see How Deep to Plant a Canna Bulb.
- Dig a hole: Aim for a depth of about four inches.
- Position the rhizome: Place the rhizome (the thick, potato-like root) in the hole. If you see small "eyes" or sprouts, point them upward. If you aren't sure which way is up, lay it on its side; the plant will figure it out.
- Space them out: Give your cannas room to breathe. Space standard varieties about one to two feet apart. For giant Musifolia types, two to three feet of space is better.
- Cover and water: Fill the hole with soil and water deeply to settle the earth around the rhizome.
What to do next:
- Check your local frost dates before ordering.
- Improve your soil by mixing in a few shovelfuls of compost.
- Mark the spot with a stake so you don't accidentally dig them up before they sprout.
Essential Care for Lush Growth
Once your cannas have sprouted, they are relatively low-maintenance. However, because they grow so much biomass in a single season, they require plenty of "fuel."
Watering Requirements
Cannas are thirsty plants. During the heat of the summer, you may need to water them every few days. If you are growing them in containers, they might even need daily watering. A thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants helps keep the soil cool and retains moisture.
For more watering guidance, see How Often to Water Canna Lily Bulbs.
Feeding for Foliage
To get those massive Musifolia leaves or deep 'Australia' purple tones, you should feed your plants regularly. Use a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season. Plants that are well-fed will grow faster, reach greater heights, and produce more flowers.
Grooming and Deadheading
As the flowers fade, you can pinch them off to keep the plant looking tidy. This is called deadheading. It encourages the plant to put its energy into more blooms rather than producing seeds. For varieties like Musifolia, where the foliage is the star, you can also trim away any lower leaves that become tattered or brown to keep the plant looking fresh.
Overwintering Canna Lilies
In most parts of the United States, cannas are treated as annuals or tender perennials. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, you can often leave your canna rhizomes in the ground all year. In colder zones, you will need to bring them inside for the winter if you want to grow the same plants next year.
For a full how-to, see How to Winterize Canna Bulbs.
The Lifting Process
Wait until a light frost has blackened the foliage. This tells the plant it is time to go dormant. Cut the stalks down to about four inches above the ground. Carefully lift the clumps of rhizomes with a garden fork, being careful not to bruise them.
Storage Steps
- Clean them up: Shake off excess soil, but do not wash them with water. Let them air dry in a cool, shaded spot for a day or two.
- Divide if needed: If the clumps have grown very large, you can gently break them into smaller pieces. Ensure each piece has at least one "eye."
- Pack them away: Store the rhizomes in a cardboard box or a breathable bag filled with peat moss, perlite, or wood shavings.
- Find a cool spot: Keep the box in a cool, dark place that stays between 45°F and 55°F. A basement or crawlspace is often perfect.
Check on your stored rhizomes once or twice during the winter. If they look shriveled, mist the packing material with a little water. If any look soft or rotten, discard them immediately to keep the others healthy.
Designing with Tropical Foliage
Dark-foliaged cannas and Musifolia types are the "secret sauce" of high-end garden design. They add a level of drama that is hard to achieve with standard perennials.
The Tropical Border
Create a lush, jungle-like corner by grouping several varieties together with Canna Assorted Mix - Bulk Offer. Place the tall Musifolia in the back. In front of it, plant the deep purple 'Australia' or 'Black Knight'. Finish the look with low-growing plants like sweet potato vines or caladiums. The contrast in heights and textures creates a professional-looking layered effect.
Containers as Focal Points
A single 'Tropicanna' or 'Australia' canna in a large, colorful pot makes a bold statement on a patio. Since cannas love water, they are perfect for self-watering pots. You can also use them as the "thriller" in a mixed container, surrounded by trailing plants that spill over the edges.
Privacy Screens
If you have a neighbor’s fence or an unsightly utility box you want to hide, a row of Musifolia cannas is an easy win. Because they grow so fast, they provide a thick green and bronze wall by mid-summer. This is a much more beautiful and affordable option than building a permanent structure.
Summary of Canna Care
Growing canna lilies is one of the most rewarding ways to add color and height to your landscape. By focusing on the basics—sun, water, and rich soil—you can achieve professional-looking results.
- Sun: Provide at least 6 hours of direct light for the best leaf color.
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during heat waves.
- Soil: Use compost or organic matter to create a rich growing environment.
- Spacing: Give large varieties like Musifolia room to expand.
- Storage: In cold climates, dig up rhizomes after the first frost to save them for next year.
Canna lilies prove that you don't need a green thumb to have a spectacular garden. Just give them plenty of sun and water, and they will do the rest of the work for you.
At Longfield Gardens, we want your gardening experience to be as enjoyable as possible. We ship our rhizomes from our facility in Lakewood, New Jersey, timed perfectly for your planting zone. See our Shipping Information for details. We stand behind our quality with a 100% guarantee, ensuring that your items arrive in prime condition and are true to their variety. If you ever have a question about your plants, our team is here to support you.
FAQ
How tall do Musifolia canna lilies actually get?
In ideal conditions with plenty of sun, water, and fertilizer, Musifolia cannas can reach between 8 and 10 feet tall. In shorter growing seasons or in containers, they typically reach a more modest 6 to 7 feet. Their height makes them one of the most impressive "architectural" plants you can grow in a single season.
Do dark-leaved cannas like 'Australia' need special care?
The care for dark-leaved varieties is essentially the same as for green-leaved cannas. However, they are most beautiful when grown in full sun, as the sunlight intensifies the purple and red pigments in the foliage. If they are grown in too much shade, the leaves may lose their dark luster and begin to look more olive-green.
Can I grow Musifolia cannas in large pots?
Yes, you can grow them in containers, but you need a very large, heavy pot to prevent the wind from tipping them over. A pot that is at least 18 to 24 inches in diameter is recommended. Because cannas in pots dry out quickly, you will need to be very diligent about watering, sometimes even twice a day during the peak of summer.
Why aren't my canna leaves turning purple or red?
The most common reason for faded leaf color is a lack of sunlight. These varieties need high light levels to produce the dark pigments. If your plant is getting plenty of sun but the leaves are still green, double-check the variety. Some types, like Musifolia, naturally have a mix of green and bronze, while 'Australia' should stay dark burgundy from the start.