Cold Hardy Tropicals

‘Tropicanna’, a.k.a. Canna ‘Phaison’, is by far one of the most exotic-looking cannas. Each leaf of Canna ‘Tropicanna’ is a combination of dramatic colors which seem to glow in the sun. New foliage emerges in rich burgundy tones, and stripes of red, pink, yellow and green fan out from the vivid central vein as it [...]

Cannas, gingers, and elephant ears are generally hardy to zones 7-8, and should be treated as annuals in colder climates. They share the common characteristic of having a large underground rhizome or tuber. Their cold hardiness can be increased by topping them with a heavy layer of mulch in the winter. In climates [...]

While many annuals share a tropical origin, certain plants are especially useful for giving the tropicalesque garden a certain punch. They can be mixed in as accents with hardier plants. Even using just a few of these annuals along with other cold-hardy tropical looking plants can provide a dramatic effect in the garden. [...]