The Cannova Red Golden Flame Canna Lily offers a vibrant, tropical aesthetic, adding striking color to garden beds and containers. Its lively appearance and unique blooms create an appealing focal point, infusing a warm, exotic feel into any landscape.
Key Characteristics
The Cannova Red Golden Flame Canna Lily produces bold, flag-like flowers that are a striking red with distinctive golden-yellow edges, blooming consistently from mid-summer through mid-fall. Its upright growth habit complements its lush, large blue-green foliage, which remains attractive throughout the growing season. This variety typically reaches a mature height of 3 to 4 feet, with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
This canna lily thrives in full sun exposure, requiring at least half a day of direct sunlight for optimal flowering. It demonstrates good heat tolerance, making it a robust choice for warmer climates and urban environments where temperatures can be elevated.
Planting Guide
Selecting an appropriate site is crucial for the Cannova Red Golden Flame Canna Lily, which flourishes in full sun exposure, ensuring it receives ample light throughout the day. The soil should be well-draining yet capable of retaining consistent moisture, with a preference for rich, organically fertile conditions. Amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting can significantly enhance its growth and vigor.
When planting rhizomes, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature reaches at least 60°F (15°C). Plant rhizomes horizontally about 2 to 3 inches deep, ensuring any visible “eyes” or buds face upwards.
For potted plants, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball, placing the plant at the same depth it was in its container. Spacing for individual plants should be approximately 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for mature growth. After planting, thoroughly water the area to settle the soil around the rhizomes or roots.
Essential Care
Consistent moisture is important for the Cannova Red Golden Flame Canna Lily, especially during warm and dry periods, as it prefers evenly moist soil conditions. While it tolerates damp soil, standing water can be detrimental, so good drainage remains important. Watering thoroughly once a week, by slowly soaking the root zone, typically provides adequate hydration.
These cannas are considered heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization to support their continuous blooming and robust growth. Applying a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formulation, after planting and then every two weeks or monthly through the growing season is generally recommended. Regularly removing spent blooms, known as deadheading, encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than expending energy on seed production.
Remove any yellowing or damaged leaves to maintain the plant’s appearance and overall health. In colder climates (USDA Zones 6 and below), canna rhizomes are not winter hardy and require overwintering indoors. After the first frost in fall, cut the stems back to the ground, lift the rhizome clumps, and store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location at temperatures between 50-60°F (10-15°C) until spring. If grown in containers, the entire pot can be allowed to dry out and then stored in a cool location.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Insufficient light is a primary reason for a lack of blooms, as Cannova Red Golden Flame Canna Lilies require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Yellowing leaves can signal several issues, including overwatering or underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or even cool temperatures. Checking soil moisture levels and adjusting watering frequency, along with consistent fertilization, can often resolve this.
Canna leaf rollers are a common pest, causing leaves to appear rolled or tied together, indicating larvae feeding inside. Inspect leaves for these signs and manually remove caterpillars to manage infestations. Rust, a fungal disease, may appear as orange or brown spots on leaves; good air circulation helps prevent its spread. Maintaining proper cultural conditions, such as adequate spacing and avoiding overhead watering, reduces the likelihood of both pest and disease problems.