Cannova® Bronze Scarlet Canna Lily

Cannova® Bronze Scarlet brings the drama of the tropics to your garden with scarlet red blooms that practically glow against deep bronze, almost chocolate-colored foliage. This selection (Canna 'Cannova Bronze Scarlet') was bred specifically for compact growth and nonstop flowering from early summer until frost, making it a powerhouse performer in containers, mixed borders, and mass plantings.

Year-Round Interest

The color show starts the moment new shoots emerge in spring. Bronze-tinted leaves unfurl to reveal broad, paddle-shaped foliage with a lustrous sheen that deepens to rich burgundy-bronze as the plant matures. By early summer, tubular scarlet flowers appear in upright clusters atop sturdy stems, creating a bold color combination that commands attention from across the yard. Unlike older canna varieties that can look tired by late summer, Cannova® Bronze Scarlet keeps pushing new blooms until frost, maintaining its tropical elegance through the entire growing season.

Landscape Uses

At 3-4 feet tall with a 2-3 foot spread, this canna fits perfectly in mid-border positions where it provides vertical interest without blocking smaller plants. The compact habit makes it ideal for containers, either as a solo thriller or combined with trailing sweet potato vine and upright salvias. Plant in groups of three or five for maximum impact in island beds, or use as a colorful backdrop for summer annuals. The bold foliage and bright flowers create an instant tropical look around pools, patios, and water features.

Wildlife Value

Hummingbirds zero in on the tubular scarlet flowers, visiting repeatedly throughout the day to sip nectar. Butterflies and larger bees also work the blooms, though hummingbirds are the primary pollinators. Deer and rabbits consistently avoid cannas, making them reliable choices for gardens where browsing pressure is an issue. The lack of fragrance doesn't deter pollinators, who are attracted by the vivid color and abundant nectar.

Why Cannova® Bronze Scarlet Works

This is a plant that delivers high-impact color with surprisingly little fuss. Selected for disease resistance, heat tolerance, and the ability to bloom continuously without constant deadheading, Cannova® Bronze Scarlet stays compact and well-proportioned. The fast growth rate means you get quick results, filling containers and garden spaces by mid-summer. In zones 7-11, the rhizomes overwinter in the ground with a thick layer of mulch, returning year after year. In colder zones, treat it as an annual or dig and store the rhizomes indoors over winter. Either way, you get months of bold tropical color that stands up to heat, humidity, and drought better than most flowering plants.