Canna ‘Red Velvet’ brings a striking presence to any garden with its vivid colors and bold, tropical form. It creates a dramatic focal point, adding an exotic flair to landscapes. Its robust growth and vibrant appearance ensure it captures attention throughout the growing season.
Understanding Canna Red Velvet
Canna ‘Red Velvet’ features deep red leaves, often with bronze-purple undertones and dark green veining. These large, elliptic or oval-shaped leaves, up to 25-30 cm, resemble banana plant leaves. Fiery scarlet or orange-red flowers, 10-11 cm in diameter, complement the foliage.
Blooms appear in racemes from July through October, providing continuous color. The mature plant reaches 70-80 cm tall with a 1-2 foot spread, making it a substantial addition to garden beds or containers.
Planting and Growing Care
Canna ‘Red Velvet’ thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six hours daily for robust growth and prolific blooming. While partial shade is tolerated, full sun promotes the most intense coloration. It prefers rich, fertile, well-draining soil that remains consistently moist. If the garden soil is heavy clay, incorporating organic matter or compost improves drainage and fertility.
Plant rhizomes 4-6 inches deep with ‘eyes’ facing upward. Space them 1-2 feet apart for mature size and spreading. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil. Canna ‘Red Velvet’ has high water needs, especially during hot, dry periods; keep soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot.
Fertilization encourages vibrant blooms and lush foliage. Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season, or use a slow-release fertilizer once a month, or a water-soluble fertilizer every other week. Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blooms throughout the season. This maintenance extends the flowering period and maintains aesthetic appeal.
Winter Care and Storage
Canna ‘Red Velvet’ is not winter hardy in many regions, often grown as an annual or requiring winter protection. It is perennial in USDA Zones 7-11, remaining in the ground year-round. In colder climates (north of Zone 7), dig up rhizomes and store them indoors to protect from freezing.
Dig up rhizomes after the first frost causes foliage to die back, but before a hard freeze. After digging, air dry rhizomes in a well-ventilated area for several days. Once dry, remove any remaining foliage.
Store rhizomes in a cool, dark, dry place (e.g., basement or root cellar) at 35-50°F (1-10°C). Pack them in dry peat moss, vermiculite, or newspaper to maintain humidity and prevent moisture loss or rot. Regularly check stored rhizomes and discard any showing signs of shriveling, disease, or pest infestation.
Addressing Common Issues
While generally robust, Canna ‘Red Velvet’ can encounter pests and diseases. Common insect pests include canna leaf rollers, caterpillars that chew holes and cause leaves to roll. Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, often appear on new growth in early spring, distorting leaves and stunting growth. Spider mites can also be a problem, especially in hot, dry conditions, causing stippled leaves and sometimes fine webbing. Other potential pests include:
- Thrips
- Scale insects
- Mealybugs
- Japanese beetles
- Slugs
- Snails
For leaf rollers, physically remove caterpillars and destroy heavily infested leaves. For aphids and spider mites, a strong water spray can dislodge them, or apply insecticidal soap and neem oil for persistent infestations. Introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs can also control aphid populations.
Canna rust, caused by Puccinia thaliae, manifests as yellow to tan pustules or spots on leaves and stems, often parallel to veins. These pustules release powdery, orange-yellow spores. As the disease progresses, spots can turn brown or black, and heavily infected leaves may dry and fall prematurely.
To manage rust, promptly remove and dispose of infected leaves, avoiding composting to prevent spread. In severe cases, use copper-containing fungicides, following label instructions. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can also prevent fungal issues.