Canna 'Australia'

Simply the best black-leafed Canna I have ever grown, 'Australia' is a must-have for anybody who appreciates the satiny sheen and eye-catching appeal of this deep burgundy-black foliage! Thick and waxy, these huge paddle-shaped leaves keep their color right through the worst summer heat -- no fading or "going green" here! And the blooms keep coming for months!

Bright orange-red, 3 to 4 inches wide, and charmingly ruffled, these flowers are really attention getting. They arise from the center of the plant on tall, thick stalks (go ahead, pick one every now and again -- they're so showstopping in the vase!) They begin in early summer and continue right into fall, standing out brilliantly against those heavily veined, glistening leaves!

'Australia' will shoot up to 4 or 5 feet tall and about a foot to 18 inches wide. (If you're planting a line of them -- which I heartily recommend, since the view is fantastic -- space the plants about 12 to 15 inches apart.) And this tropical just thrives in the heat, so expect it to be the star of the garden when less tolerant plants have slumped from exhaustion! The leaves are shiny and sport a rich, true black from the moment they appear in spring. Irresistibly appealing, they invite you to touch them, so plant 'Australia' where visitors can enjoy its texture as well as its color and form.

'Australia' is ideal beside the pool, on a sunny patio, or along an exposed walkway. Yet it is also tolerant of a bit of shade, and doesn't look out of place -- far from! -- in the rear of the traditional perennial garden, alongside other sun-soaked beauties like Rudbeckia Goldsturm.

Plant 'Australia' in full sun to light shade in any well-drained soil. It grows quickly and needs almost no maintenance. Hardy in the southern part of zone 7 through zone 10; farther north, dig it up and let it overwinter indoors for replanting in spring.