Canna lilies are vibrant, tropical plants known for their striking foliage and bold blooms, bringing a touch of the exotic to any garden. Among the many varieties, those with variegated leaves stand out due to their multi-colored patterns, which extend beyond the typical green. This unique characteristic adds significant visual interest, making variegated canna lilies a prized choice for gardeners seeking dramatic and colorful displays.
Understanding Variegation in Canna Lilies
Variegation in plants, including canna lilies, refers to the appearance of differently colored zones in the foliage. This phenomenon is typically a result of genetic mutations that affect the production of chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for photosynthesis. Varying pigment levels or structural differences within the leaf create patterns of white, yellow, light green, red, or pink alongside the standard green.
Two primary types of variegation exist: genetic and chimeral. Genetic variegation is stable and inherited, with color patterns consistently passed down through generations. Conversely, chimeral variegation arises from mutated cell layers within the plant, leading to a mix of genetically distinct tissues. While often prized for its unique patterns, chimeral variegation can be unstable, with the potential for the plant to revert to solid green.
Popular Variegated Canna Lily Varieties
Several canna lily cultivars are celebrated for their variegated foliage, each offering distinct patterns and color combinations. ‘Pretoria’, also known as ‘Bengal Tiger’, is known for its bright yellow leaves adorned with dark green stripes and often a delicate red rim. This variety produces large, bright orange flowers that complement its vibrant foliage.
‘Stuttgart’ is another variety, featuring large, paddle-shaped leaves with green and creamy white variegation. Its leaves can sometimes show grayish-green tinges, and it produces peachy-orange to pale apricot flowers that fade to pink. The cultivar ‘Tropicanna’, also known as ‘Phasion’, displays an array of colors, with leaves striped in purple, yellow, red, and green, topped with vivid orange flowers. This variety is known for its vigorous growth and dramatic presence.
Optimal Care for Variegated Canna Lilies
Providing proper care is essential for maintaining the vibrancy and stability of variegation in canna lilies. These tropical plants thrive in full sun, which enhances the intensity of their leaf coloration. However, for some variegated cultivars like ‘Stuttgart’, prolonged exposure to direct sun can cause the lighter sections of the leaves to scorch or brown, suggesting that dappled afternoon shade may be beneficial in hotter climates.
Canna lilies prefer rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture without waterlogging. Amending heavy clay soils with compost or organic matter improves drainage and nutrient availability. Consistent watering is needed, especially during the growing season; about one inch of water per week is recommended, increasing in hot climates or for container-grown plants.
Cannas are heavy feeders, benefiting from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Excessive nitrogen should be avoided, as it can promote lush green growth at the expense of variegated patterns, potentially diminishing their coloration. Canna lilies are heat-loving plants, preferring temperatures between 59°F to 100°F (15°C to 38°C) and tolerating humidity well. In cooler regions, starting rhizomes indoors before the last frost gives them a head start, ensuring robust growth and vibrant variegation.
Preserving Variegation and Troubleshooting Common Issues
Maintaining variegated canna lily leaves requires proactive measures to prevent “reversion,” when variegated parts of the plant turn solid green. It occurs when non-chlorophyll producing cells are outcompeted by green, chlorophyll-rich cells, often due to environmental stress or the plant’s natural tendency to produce more photosynthetically efficient tissue. To preserve variegation, promptly prune any reverted solid green growth back to where the variegation is present. This encourages continued variegated foliage.
Common issues affecting variegated canna lilies include browning of lighter leaf sections. This browning often indicates too much direct sunlight, which can scorch the less pigmented areas of the leaves. Inconsistent watering, leading to cycles of drought and overwatering, also contributes to leaf browning and overall plant stress. Ensuring consistent moisture and providing some afternoon shade in intensely hot climates mitigates this problem.
Loss of variegation may also indicate environmental stress or improper care, as the plant may prioritize producing more chlorophyll to compensate for suboptimal growing conditions. Consistent light, water, and nutrients stabilize variegation and promote healthier growth.
Propagating Variegated Canna Lilies
Propagating variegated canna lilies ensures desired leaf patterns are passed on. While some plants can be grown from seed, this method is unreliable for maintaining variegation. Variegation often results from genetic mutations not consistently inherited through sexual reproduction; seeds from a variegated plant likely produce solid green leaves.
Instead, rhizome division is the most dependable method for propagating variegated canna lilies. Canna lilies grow from thick, horizontal rhizomes. To divide them, dig up rhizome clumps in spring, ideally before new growth emerges. Separate the rhizomes into sections, ensuring each section has at least one “eye” or growth bud and roots. Plant these divisions horizontally about 4-6 inches deep in well-draining soil, with the eyes facing upwards, to produce new plants with the same variegated foliage as the parent.