Canna 'Australia' is a bold, tropical perennial that brings dramatic flair to any garden with its striking purple foliage and showy flower spikes that bloom from July through September. Growing 4 to 6 feet tall and spreading 18 to 36 inches wide, this rhizomatous plant thrives in zones 7 through 10 and adapts beautifully to both garden beds and water gardens. The name itself comes from the Greek word kanna, meaning reed, a fitting tribute to its tall, elegant growth habit. Hummingbirds find the flowers irresistible, making this variety a living attraction for wildlife all summer long.
Full Sun
Moderate
7-10
72in H x 36in W
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Moderate
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The deep purple foliage of Canna 'Australia' commands attention before a single flower opens, creating a sophisticated backdrop in the garden that sets it apart from other canna varieties. Its ability to thrive in moist, wet soils makes it exceptionally suited to rain gardens and water features where many ornamentals struggle. From mid-summer through the first frost, the plant unfurls striking flower spikes that draw hummingbirds and pollinators with magnetic precision, extending the garden's visual and ecological interest well into fall.
Canna 'Australia' serves as a striking focal point in perennial borders and tropical-style gardens, where its height and purple foliage create bold vertical interest. It thrives in rain gardens and water gardens, where its tolerance for wet soil transforms it into a practical choice for managing drainage while adding ornamental value. Its low maintenance requirements and ability to return reliably year after year in zones 7 through 10 make it a dependable selection for gardeners seeking drama without constant fussing.
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Plant rhizomes 4 to 6 inches deep and 18 to 24 inches apart in spring after the threat of frost has passed, in full sun and moist, organically rich, well-drained soil.
Remove entire flowering stems immediately after bloom to maintain the plant's appearance and encourage continued flowering. In fall, after the first frost, cut plants to the ground to prepare for winter dormancy or storage.
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“Cannas belong to a genus of roughly 10 tropical and subtropical species with a rich horticultural lineage spanning continents. The name itself traces back to ancient Greek, revealing how far these plants have traveled through cultural and botanical history. 'Australia' represents the ongoing work of breeders and gardeners to select cultivars with distinctive foliage colors and growth characteristics, building on centuries of canna cultivation. This variety carries forward the legacy of tropical plant hybridization that has made cannas indispensable in temperate gardens since their introduction to Europe.”