The canna lily (Canna x generalis) instantly brings a tropical feel to any garden space with its striking, vibrant features. Known for their large, broad, banana-like leaves, these plants create a dramatic architectural statement. The foliage, which can be solid green, bronze, or heavily variegated, provides a powerful visual anchor in garden beds or containers. Companion planting enhances this bold aesthetic by allowing other plants to complement the canna’s height and texture for a cohesive display.
Understanding Canna Lily Growing Requirements
Successful companion planting relies on selecting partners that share the canna lily’s specific needs for sun, soil, and moisture. Canna lilies are tropical heat-lovers that demand full sun exposure, ideally receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. While they tolerate some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates, too much shade leads to fewer blooms and leggy growth.
Canna lilies are heavy feeders and require rich, organically amended soil that is consistently moist but drains well. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. Cannas need generous and regular watering throughout the growing season to support their substantial growth. Companion plants must thrive under these moist, well-fed, and sunny conditions to ensure a healthy partnership.
Companion Plants for Height and Texture Contrast
The canna lily’s impressive size and dense foliage call for companions that offer a deliberate contrast in form and density. Introducing plants with fine or airy textures prevents the planting scheme from becoming a solid, heavy block of greenery. This contrast highlights the drama of the canna’s leaves and adds visual complexity to the garden design.
Fine-Textured Fillers
Plants with delicate foliage serve as fine-textured fillers, softening the bold lines of the canna lily. Ornamental grasses, such as fine-bladed Carex or Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra), provide a soft, flowing counterpoint to the canna’s upright rigidity. The wispy, cloud-like habit of Cleome (spider flower) offers a vertical yet lacy texture. Verbena bonariensis produces tall, slender stems topped with small clusters of purple flowers, creating a see-through effect in front of the canna’s solid mass.
Mid-Height Contrast
Mid-height companions should be chosen for their contrasting flower shapes or colors, filling the space beneath the canna blooms. Salvias are excellent choices, as their spiky flower stalks provide a vertical shape structurally different from the canna’s clustered blooms. Many salvias feature deep purples and blues that pair well with the hot colors of canna flowers. Zinnias thrive in the same full sun and heat, offering bright, daisy-like flowers that complement or contrast the canna’s palette. Dahlias, with their wide, intricate flower forms, echo the tropical exuberance of cannas.
Designing the Planting Scheme
A successful planting scheme depends on strategic arrangement and the thoughtful use of color. Considering the strong presence of the canna lily, the goal is to create a multi-layered display that utilizes height and color to guide the eye.
Thoughtful color theory can transform a planting from merely colorful to stunning. For a vivid, fiery look, pair canna varieties with red, orange, or yellow blooms with companions like marigolds or Helenium to amplify the “hot” color scheme. Alternatively, using complementary colors creates a dramatic, cooling contrast. Examples include planting dark-leaved cannas with purple-flowered salvias, or introducing lime-green foliage like sweet potato vine.
Layering uses the varying heights of the plants to build depth in a garden border. Cannas, which range from two to seven feet tall, should be placed at the back of a border or in the center of a large container. Mid-height companions, like zinnias or salvia, should be positioned in front to fill the middle ground. Fine-textured fillers, such as ornamental grasses, belong in the foreground to soften the edges. This arrangement creates a dynamic visual movement that rises to the dramatic verticality of the canna lily.