About

Canna 'Australia' is a robust perennial that grows up to 2 meters in height, forming dense clumps. It features large, shiny leaves in a rich, dark bronze hue. From mid-summer through autumn, it produces prominent spikes adorned with vibrant dark orange-red flowers. This variety is well-suited for tropical borders.

About the genus

Canna are herbaceous perennials characterized by their rhizomatous growth and upright stems. They feature broad, oval leaves and prominent flowers that include petal-like staminodes along with smaller, colored petals and sepals. These blooms appear in clusters, such as racemes or panicles, during the summer and autumn months.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered site with full sun and water freely in dry spells; apply a balanced liquid feed monthly. In cold regions, this cultivar is best kept growing in winter in a warm, frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. In areas that are frost-free, leave in situ and protect with a deep dry mulch. See canna cultivation for further information
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, slugs and snails
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to Canna viruses