You can make soothing or arresting combinations. It all depends on what you mix them with. In Maurer's garden, cannas with deep red foliage are planted in a dramatic screen against a pale stucco house. The tall cannas create privacy near the entrance, and the deep red leaves, set above other plants with dark green foliage, have a restful, cooling effect. Maurer also likes to plant cannas with salvias and other fine-textured plants for contrast, and she uses cannas to accentuate garden views.
Containers are another matter.
Simple combinations are the most effective. Fancy striped canna Pretoria, sometimes called Bengal Tiger, is striking with the yellow and orange tubular flowers of Cuphea micropetala and purple Verbena Imagination. The chartreuse leaves of the ornamental sweet-potato vine Marguerite and striped canna Pretoria fill a flower pot by themselves and need no further embellishment. Plant a few cannas and stand back. Visit our Advertising page to find out how adv.