Canna lilies, with their bold colors and striking foliage, add a tropical feel to any garden. Red canna lily varieties are especially popular for their vibrant appeal. These plants create a dramatic focal point, offering intense coloration. They thrive in warm climates, making them a favored choice for a lush display.
Understanding Red Canna Lilies
Red canna lilies are known for their vivid flower colors and broad, paddle-shaped leaves, which can be green, bronze, or variegated. These perennials grow from rhizomes, producing upright stems that support their blooms and foliage. Their tropical look adds a dramatic flair. Red cannas typically bloom from mid-summer until the first frost.
Popular Red Canna Lily Varieties
Red canna lilies offer diverse characteristics in bloom shade, size, and foliage. This allows gardeners to choose varieties that fit their specific design preferences and growing conditions.
‘President’ Canna Lily
‘President’ is a classic, known for its scarlet-red flowers against deep green foliage. It typically reaches 3 to 5 feet, suitable for borders or containers. Its blooms last from mid-summer until frost.
Canna ‘Wyoming’
Canna ‘Wyoming’ features orange-red blooms against dark brown or burgundy foliage. This variety grows 32 to 48 inches tall. ‘Wyoming’ is well-suited for garden beds or large containers.
Canna ‘Lucifer’
Canna ‘Lucifer’ is a compact variety, 2 to 3 feet tall, with iris-like red flowers edged in golden-yellow. Its blossoms emerge above green leaves, blooming from mid-summer into fall. This dwarf canna suits containers or the front of a sunny border.
‘Red King Humbert’
‘Red King Humbert’ is a tall canna, reaching 5 to 6 feet, with large, bright red to reddish-orange flowers. Its glossy leaves emerge dark red in spring, turning green with bronze tinges. This variety has been popular for over a century.
Canna ‘Black Knight’
Canna ‘Black Knight’ offers deep, blood-red blooms complemented by deep reddish-black, banana-shaped leaves. This variety grows 3 to 5 feet tall and makes a dramatic statement.
Canna ‘Cannova Red’
Canna ‘Cannova Red’ is a compact series, 3 to 4 feet tall, versatile for various garden applications. It produces spikes of coral-red flowers, blooming from mid-summer to early fall. This variety features large, glossy green leaves.
Cultivating Red Canna Lilies for Vibrant Blooms
Red canna lilies thrive in tropical-like conditions, requiring specific care for vibrant blooms. They perform best in full sun, which encourages growth and abundant flowering. While they tolerate some partial shade, especially in hotter regions, full sun ensures intense flower color and prolific blooming.
These plants prefer rich, well-draining soil that stays consistently moist. Incorporating organic matter like compost improves moisture retention and drainage. Consistent soil moisture is important, especially in hot weather, as insufficient water can damage leaves.
Cannas benefit from regular fertilization throughout their growing season. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting, supplemented with a liquid feed every 4 to 6 weeks for strong growth and continuous flowering. Fertilize from early spring until about six weeks before the first expected frost.
Deadheading, removing spent flowers, encourages canna lilies to produce more blooms. By removing faded flowers, the plant redirects energy into developing new blossoms. This prolongs the blooming period throughout summer and fall.
Choosing the Best Red Canna for Your Landscape
Choosing a red canna lily involves considering your garden’s environment and preferences. Cannas are tender perennials, requiring winter storage in colder regions. Available space will influence your choice between compact and taller varieties.
Consider the mature height, as varieties range from dwarf types (2-3 feet) to towering specimens (over 6 feet). Foliage color, whether green, bronze, or dark burgundy, should complement your garden palette. Reviewing specific characteristics helps cultivate a striking landscape.