Orange Canna Lily

Underneath a scruffy green cordyline I've planted a clump of Canna lilies. They have purple leaves and beautiful orange flowers, and I suspect they are very much the common garden variety!

Glowing Orange Flowers

These were the first canna lilies I'd ever grown, and I was worried that winters in the Moosey Garden might be a little too frosty. No problems - but I do cover them with mulch in the autumn, just in case. In late summer the flowers appear, and when the afternoon sun catches the striped leaves the effect is magical.

The flower colour always takes me by surprise. What a beautiful soft, glowing orange!

The colour orange makes such a strong contrast with the surrounding greenery in the border. I've heard of people who chop the orange flowers off - they must be mad.

More Cannas

I also grow the lovely specialty striped varieties of Canna. Overall I find them wonderful for late summer colour. They do flower late for me, though, and I suspect they might not fare so well without shelter.