Tuesday, July 29, 2008

What a Crazy Canna!

I have a bougainvillea that blooms hot pink and salmon on the same branch - and I've seen blooms change colors as they age - but I have never seen anything like this before. My mother-in-law cut this canna last week. You can see that some petals are coral and some are yellow and, still yet, some are yellow with coral spots. But the petal that caught our attention is the one that is 1/2 coral and 1/2 yellow (okay - it's really 2/3s coral and a 1/3 yellow). In the close-up below, you can see a distinct line that separates the two colors. This particular plant has been in her yard for many years and we have never noticed it doing this before. I just love this crazy coloration - it's like the canna can't decide what it wants to be! Any thoughts?


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an odd but interesting variation in color. I've never seen anything like it.

Sheila said...

That's crazy! But pretty!

Mary Beth said...

PERENNIAL GARDENER and SHEILA - I'm hoping someone can tell me what may have caused this crazy coloration . . . or even tell me that they've seen it before in cannas. When I have some time, I'll have to do a little research.

Mother Nature said...

That is what makes gardening fun. There is always something new and interesting.

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

That is so wild! I LOVE it, but it really is unusual. I'm starting a canna lily collection myself and haven't ever had this happen. I'd be interested to find out what you find out about the possible causes.

Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Jane O' said...

How bizarre. It looks painted! I've never seen anything like it.

Mary Beth said...

MOTHER NATURE - How right you are - it does make gardening fun!

CINDY - I'll be sure to be watching that particular plant to see if it happens again - and will be searching for a possible reason . . .

JANE MARIE - It DOES look painted! I really didn't believe my mother-in-law when she told me and had to go see for myself. Canna petals are very fragile and I was afraid I would tear it before I had a chance to take a picture.

Bob said...

I am stunned. It really looks painted. Do you think that Dolly had something to do with it. It might not happen again till you get another good blow. Let's hope it doesn't wait that long.

Mary Beth said...

BOB - Can't blame Dolly on this - (or give her the credit). I took that picture the week before the storm. That particular plant was underwater for over a week - most of those days COMPLETELY submerged. We'll see just how tough she is.

EAL said...

Wow! It's great!