Confusing, but no, they are the same. ‘Tropicanna® canna’ is actually a brand name for the canna ‘Phasion’, which is also known as Canna Durban or Canna Volcano!
Canna Phasion
Canna Tropicana is a small to medium-sized group cultivar with bronze, pink, and green variegated foliage. It is a mutation of Canna Wyoming and as it ages it tends to revert its foliage colour to that of the original species.
This particular cultivar of the Canna Lily has been subject to a series of legal activities arising from the plant patent that the US obtained for it. The patent expired in 1998 and propagation of the plant is now permitted all around.
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Canna Phasion
It is notable for its vibrant foliage and flower colours. Its amazingly bright orange flowers sit on erect flower stalks that tower above the foliage. The flowers bloom from midsummer to autumn and create a beautiful contrast against the dark purple foliage that is lined with strawberry-pink veins. These beautiful canna lilies look great when planted in masses along walls or hedges to create a vibrant sunny border.
Growing and Caring For Canna Phasion
Canna Phasion is an average maintenance plant that is generally easy to grow once the right conditions are met. It is a fast-growing plant that can grow as tall as 5 feet to 6 feet tall. It reaches its maximum height in just 2 to 5 years.
Propagation methods
It is propagated by the division of the rhizome. The size of the rhizome tuber planted has a direct effect on the size that your canna plant will achieve. It can also be propagated by seed but most canna plants do not ‘come true’ when propagated by seeds. That is, the resulting plant of a canna plant propagated by seed will differ greatly from its parent plant.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: It thrives in organically rich, moist but well-draining soil. The soil can be chalk, clay, sand, or loamy soil with acidic to neutral pH levels.
- Light: It should be positioned south-facing or west-facing in a shaded location where it can get full sunlight.
- Water: They have average water needs but needs lots of water in hot weather to avoid the leaf scorch and dryness of the soil.
- Pruning: Pruning is not required
- Fertiliser: Start fertilising your canna at the beginning of the growing season in early spring and keep adding a fertiliser once a month. The last fertiliser application should not be less than 6 weeks before you expect the first frost. This fertiliser regimen will ensure that your plant blooms throughout summer and autumn.
- Pests and diseases: Canna Phasion are largely pest and disease free but can be affected by glasshouse red spider mites, aphids, and caterpillars. In the US, canna leaves are eventually damaged by Canna leaves roller.
- Temperature and Humidity: They are extremely sensitive to frost but thrive in temperatures up to 32 degrees celsius.
