when i first looked at the pics i was a bit doubtful because i didn't remember ever seeing the variagation in the leaves that is supposed to happen. but sure enough, there was a small stripe in one of the leaves. and then i saw the plant emerging next to it - a nice big stripe of chocolate:
and like i said before, i think the purples may be cleopatra as well. descriptions i read said it grows that way as well. some of the purple leaves have shades of green in them and i found one bud that really makes me think it's possible:
there is definitly some yellow in this bud and while not as obvious, there is some speckling like the yellow buds have. the pics that really showed a bright yellow section at the base of this flower didn't turn out. maybe i'll try again tomorrow. apparently the mixing of colors only appears in a relatively small percentage of the plants. but i got these plants all at the same time as a gift from a neighbor who was moving when we first landscaped the yard so they could all be cleopatra. interesting that it is known as schizophrenic canna as well since both my SE and myself are mental health professionals who work with people with schizophrenia all the time. plus, the person who gave it to us has bipolar illness. makes it all the more special.
and mike, from what i could tell of internet prices, this plant is still worth a few pennies more than most cannas.
