Tropicanna Black^® cannas

Download the plant bio in Microsoft Word format: Tesselaar Plant Bio - Canna Tropicanna Black.

The perfect garden foliage partner to the original Tropicanna^® and Tropicanna Gold cannas is the brand new Tropicanna Black canna. This exotic canna displays a totally unique combination that only the magnificent shades of purple blended with black can produce. Even more is the spike that will produce flowers of the richest scarlet/orange color, which will continue to appear from Spring through to Fall.

Planted out side-by-side with the original Tropicanna and Tropicanna Gold cannas, Tropicanna Black canna will make an outstanding display in the garden. Striking in color and form, this trio is guaranteed to create impact.

Key Features

• Brings a tropical touch to the garden
• Exotic foliage in lovely, bold purple/black hues
• Ideal for gardens, landscapes and water gardens
• Can be planted in full sun or part shade
• Brilliant scarlet/orange flowers

Suggested Uses

Commercial landscapes in USDA zones 7 through 11 (no lifting required). It is ideal for planting in garden beds and borders and container plantings. Great for water gardens, ponds and bogs.

Growth Habit

Rhizomes bud and produce tall stalks that unfurl new leaf growth. A mass of flower buds develop a top mature stalks, blooming in succession

Growth Pattern

Annual rhizome development.

Plant Size

In garden beds: grows to 4-feet tall in the first year, grows up to 6-feet tall in subsequent years in zones 7 and above if not lifted after growing season. In containers: will grow up to 4-feet tall, can be cut back any time to force new growth. Plant in a large pot.

Flower Attributes

Four to eight lily shaped flowers of 4 to 5 inches, per stalk. Stalks grow and mature to flower throughout growing season.

Mature Height

4ft to 6ft

Mature Width

20 to 30 inch clumps

 Hardiness

Cannas are tropical plants and are sensitive to extended exposure to frost. Mild winters (USDA zones 7 through 11): As soon as the leaves begin to die back, cut off foliage to soil level, and leave in-ground or in large containers over the winter. In spring, growth will start up as warmer temperatures arrive. Severe winters (USDA zones 3 through 6): As soon as the leaves begin to die back, cut off foliage to about 4 inches, dig up the rhizomes, let them dry for a few days in a protected area. Store the rhizomes in a cool dry place for the winter. Divide the rhizome shoots and replant in spring. Start indoors to get an early jump on the season, but do not put outside until all danger of frost is past. For more winter protection tips, please go to the FAQs for Tropicanna.

Flowering Period

Flowers from May to September depending on warm season length and climate conditions. Duration is typically 2-3 months. Many flowers are produced during the season.

Flower Color

Bright scarlet/orange with a yellow spotted throat (PMS 186C to PMS 164C)

 Fragrance

Not fragrant.

 Foliage

Shiny purple/black foliage.

 Pruning/Pinching

Not necessary. Spent flower blooms drop naturally. Dig and divide to maintain size and shape.

 Temperature

Canna Tropicanna Black is a tropical plant and should be protected from frost. Plants will over winter in the ground and withstand light frosts; however, potted plants will need to be protected or over wintered in a greenhouse. Tropicanna Black will start to grow when temperatures exceed 50F in Spring, but leaves won't attain full color until temperatures regularly exceed 60F.

Light Needs

Outdoors: Performs best in full sun (six hours of sun daily), but will tolerate partial shade (minimum four hours of sun daily). Indoors: best performance is achieved in a well-lit site with a minimum of 4 hours sun daily, with a summer vacation out of doors in a sunny or partial-shade position.

Soil Needs

Tropicanna BLACK will tolerate a range of soils but will perform best in a deep fertile soil. It will tolerate poorly drained areas.

Water Needs

With masses of broad fleshy leaves, Tropicanna BLACK requires frequent watering to perform at its best.

 Fertilizer

In spring, use a controlled release fertilizer high in potassium to encourage flowering. Too much nitrogen can yield a plant that is excessively tall.

Disease Tolerance

Cannas are not prone to disease in the landscape

Pest Issues

No major pests. Snails and slugs can damage leaves.

Special Care

Avoid windy locations as the large soft leaves can be damaged. Outdoors: Easy care plant. Better performance will be attained if plants are watered and fed regularly, but once established, Tropicanna BLACK flowers readily with minimal care.

Special Notes

DNA Fingerprinting has established differences with other, readily available, dark leaf Cannas.