Burgundy Leaf Canna Plant

Burgundy Leaf Canna Varieties

• The varieties of burgundy leaf canna lilies most often found in the nursery trade are Wyoming, producing orange flowers and burgundy leaves with dark purple veins; Black Knight, with red flowers; Red Futurity, producing red flowers; and Tropicanna, which has leaves striped with burgundy, red pink and green, and bright orange or yellow flowers.

Plant Care

• Burgundy leaf canna lilies grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. They grow from spreading rhizomes, not bulbs, and thrive in rich, moist garden soil located where they receive at least six hours of direct sun each day.

  Spread a 2-to 3-inch layer of well-rotted compost over the planting area and work into the top 6 inches of soil when establishing a new bed. Plant the rhizomes 4 inches deep counting from the "eye," which is the raised area where the new plant will sprout. Start watering canna lilies when they begin to grow in spring. The soil should stay moist, but not waterlogged, throughout the growing season. Withhold water during the winter. Each spring, mulch with 1 to 2 inches of compost before the plants sprout. Extra fertilizer is not necessary, as canna lilies grow in most any soil as long as they have plenty of organic matter and sufficient moisture.

Pests and Diseases

• Canna lilies are generally pest free. The most common pest problems are slugs and snails, which can be picked off by hand in the evenings, or canna lily leaf rollers. These rollers are worms that eat the leaves, leaving unattractive holes. Control canna lily leaf rollers by spraying the plants with an organic pesticide such as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or spinosad, following the manufacturer's instructions.

  A common disease of canna lilies is the canna yellow streak virus. It causes streaking and yellowing of the leaves and can spread to healthy plants already in the garden. Always buy cannas that are growing in a container rather than rhizomes. That way, you can inspect the plants before bringing them home. The alternative is to look for rhizomes that are certified disease-free.

Propagating and Storage

• Propagate canna lilies by digging the bulbs in the fall after the foliage has declined. Carefully dig up the rhizomes and gently pull them apart with your hands and replant. North of zone 7, dig up and store canna lily bulbs over the winter. Wait until after the first frost kills the foliage. Cut off the dead foliage and carefully dig the bulbs. Brush off excess dirt and store at 50 to 65 degrees F in a dark, dry, well-ventilated location. Plant in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.