Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet Canna offers a striking presence in garden spaces. Its vibrant scarlet-red flowers contrast beautifully with deep bronze-burgundy leaves, adding a tropical feel to any landscape. This plant provides continuous color throughout the growing season. It is often chosen to create a lush, exotic atmosphere, whether planted in beds or containers.
Discovering Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet
Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet is a cultivar of Canna x generalis. Its large, glossy leaves emerge green in spring, developing a rich coppery-bronze color with burgundy spines. Scarlet, flag-like flowers rise above the foliage from late spring until the first frost.
This F1 hybrid performs well even in cooler summer climates. It grows 30 to 48 inches (2.5 to 4 feet) tall with a 14 to 24-inch spread, maintaining a compact, upright habit. Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It is a tender perennial, hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 11, where its roots survive the winter in the ground. In colder climates, it is grown as an annual or its rhizomes are lifted and stored indoors during winter.
Planting and Growing This Canna
Selecting an appropriate site is important for Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet. This plant flourishes in locations that receive full sunlight. Well-draining soil rich in organic matter provides the best foundation for its growth. Before planting, enriching the soil with compost or other organic amendments can improve its structure and fertility. This helps ensure the plant receives the nutrients it needs and promotes healthy root development.
Plant in spring, after the last threat of frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to at least 16°C (61°F). When planting rhizomes, dig a hole approximately 4 to 5 inches deep, placing the rhizome with the “bud eye” facing upwards. For potted plants, the hole should be as deep as the root ball.
After positioning the plant, cover it with a layer of amended soil and gently compact the area around the base. Adequate spacing, 14 to 24 inches between plants, allows for proper air circulation and growth. A thorough initial watering helps settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Plants
Consistent moisture is important for Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet, particularly during active growth and flowering. The soil should remain evenly moist but never waterlogged, as standing water can lead to root issues. During dry spells or if rainfall is less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) per week, supplemental watering is necessary. Plants grown in containers may require more frequent watering than those in garden beds.
To support vigorous growth and abundant blooms, feeding the plant with an all-purpose fertilizer annually in early spring is beneficial. Regular soil testing can help determine specific nutrient needs and guide fertilization. Removing spent blooms, a practice known as deadheading, encourages the plant to produce more flowers over a longer period. This directs the plant’s energy towards new floral production rather than seed development.
In regions with cold winters (USDA Zones 6 and below), overwintering the rhizomes is necessary for the plant to return the following spring. After the first frost, carefully dig up the rhizomes, allow them to dry, and store them in a cool, dry, frost-free location. Replant them once spring temperatures rise and the threat of frost has passed.
Addressing Common Challenges
While Cannova Bronze Leaf Scarlet is robust, certain issues can arise. Pests may affect the foliage, including:
Canna leaf rollers
Japanese beetles
Caterpillars
Slugs
Snails
Aphids
Manual removal of larger pests can be effective, while insecticidal soaps or neem oil can help manage smaller infestations such as aphids.
This plant can also encounter diseases such as rust (orange pustules on leaves) or bacterial leaf spot (yellowing and lesions). Rhizome rot can occur in overly wet conditions, emphasizing the need for well-drained soil. Viruses, though less common, may cause symptoms like yellow mosaic patterns or streaking on leaves. Ensuring good air circulation around plants and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent fungal and bacterial problems. Removing and disposing of severely infected plant parts helps limit disease spread, especially for viral infections that have no cure.
Environmental factors can also impact plant health. Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering, underwatering, or a deficiency in essential nutrients. Monitoring soil moisture levels and adjusting watering practices can resolve many leaf discoloration issues. A lack of blooms might suggest insufficient sunlight or inadequate nutrition, both of which can be corrected by relocating the plant or adjusting fertilization.