Canna Lily varieties offer a kaleidoscope of colors and forms, enriching gardens with their vibrant presence. From the elegant ‘Red King Humbert’ to the tropical beauty of ‘Tropical Sunrise’, each cultivar has its own beauty.
Whether you seek towering plants or compact blooms, there are varieties of canna to suit every garden aesthetic. Explore the diversity and beauty of these stunning flowers as we delve into the colorful world of Canna Lily Varieties.
Different Canna Lily Varieties
Harvest Yellow
With its radiant golden-yellow blooms adorned with orange speckles, Canna x generalis ‘Harvest Yellow’ brings the hues of autumn to your garden amid summer’s heat. If its size is overwhelming, trim spent flower stalks with 2 to 3 leaves above ground for a shorter, fuller appearance. Note that giant cannas, due to their large leaves, are susceptible to wind damage. Plan their placement thoughtfully to avoid vulnerable spots.
Happy Cleo
With a compact size reaching just 1 to 2 feet tall, Canna x generalis ‘Happy Cleo’ offers vibrant orange blooms with gold undertones, distinguishing itself among canna lily varieties. Ideal for containers or gardens where height is a concern. Consider bringing ‘Happy Cleo’ indoors near a large window for optimal lighting, along with other ‘Happy’ varieties on your list, for a charming indoor display.
Happy Emily
Canna x generalis ‘Happy Emily’ stands out as one of the smallest hybrids, reaching a maximum height of just 2 feet. Its bright sunny yellow blooms speckled with orange and compact green foliage make for a delightful display. Perfect for patio containers, these plants thrive in full sun but can still bloom in partial shade, showcasing excellent branching characteristics.
Happy Julia
Canna x generalis ‘Happy Julia’ complements other compact varieties like ‘Happy Emily’ and ‘Happy Cleo’. Sporting deep salmon blooms atop rich purple foliage, it boasts vigor and compactness. Engineered for large blooms and self-cleaning, ‘Happy Julia’ requires minimal deadheading, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor displays alike.
Los Angeles
Contrary to its namesake city, Canna x generalis ‘Los Angeles’ boasts a diminutive stature and delicate soft pink blooms, flowering from mid-summer to frost. Perfect for patios due to its compact size, it offers a similar pink hue to ‘City of Portland’ without the height, making it ideal for containers and providing a stunning pink accent.
Lucifer
‘Lucifer’ is among the most favored varieties, flaunting striking red blooms with yellow edges. Its flowers develop spiles, branching out for an abundance of color. While it blooms in light shade, full sun is preferred for optimal flowering. Perfect for those seeking bold, unique blooms, its shorter stature makes it ideal for front or edge placement to stand out in your garden.
Musifolia
‘Musifolia’ is a sought-after giant variety guaranteed to make a statement in your yard. With towering heights ranging from 6 to 8 feet, it adds vertical interest to gardens. Sporting green to purple foliage, this variety features large ruby-red blooms, although they typically don’t set until later in summer. For earlier blooms, consider ‘Red King Humbert’ or other red varieties.
Phasion
Meet ‘Phasion,’ a captivating beauty! Its foliage, embellished with purple, pink, and orange veins, commands attention. Throughout summer, it flaunts gorgeous sunset orange blooms. Recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, ‘Phasion’ promises to captivate observers and ignite curiosity in your garden. It thrives in full sun and suits USDA plant hardiness zones 3-10, reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet.
Picasso
Meet ‘Picasso,’ a living masterpiece! Its striking blooms, with bright yellow petals speckled with deep red spots, are sure to turn heads. This semi-dwarf canna, reaching 2 to 3 feet in height, adds artistic flair along walls or hedges. Thriving in full sun and suitable for USDA zones 4-11, ‘Picasso’ thrives in rich, well-drained soil, making it perfect for patio containers or garden bed borders.
Pink Futurity
‘Pink Futurity’ is your go-to for stunning pink hues in the garden. With vibrant pink and coral flowers crowning full burgundy foliage, it’s a showstopper. Perfect for low garden beds and containers due to its compact size. Promote continuous blooms by removing spent flowers, encouraging new growth and multiple blooms per stem, resulting in a bountiful floral display.
Pink President
‘Pink President,’ also known as ‘Miss Oklahoma,’ boasts blooms fit for the spotlight. Its vibrant pink flower clusters contrast with green foliage, creating a stunning display. This perennial, originating from the United States, reaches a height of 4 to 5 feet. Thriving in full sun and moist soil, it’s heat-tolerant. When planting, assess the rhizome’s eyes—more eyes mean larger, fuller plants with abundant blooms.
Puck
Canna x generalis ‘Puck’ is a perennial plant known for its stunning soft butter-yellow blooms. With a compact size of 2’-4’, it adds a tropical touch to any garden. Perfect for full sun exposure, it thrives in zones 3-10 and is ideal for both garden beds and containers. Enjoy its blooms from mid-summer until the first frost, adding a vibrant charm to your summer landscape.
Red Dazzler
Canna x generalis ‘Red Dazzler’ is a striking perennial boasting vibrant red flowers set against lime green foliage. Standing tall at 5’-7’, it adds drama to any garden or container arrangement. Ideal for full sun exposure in zones 3-10, it serves as a stunning focal point, whether against buildings or as a backdrop. Pair with ‘Yellow King Humbert’ for a timeless appeal or ‘Red King Humbert’ for striking foliage contrast.
Red Futurity
Canna x generalis ‘Red Futurity’ is a perennial variety, reaching 3’-4’ in height. Its crimson blooms contrast beautifully with chocolate foliage. Popular among farmers for its pest and deer resistance, it also attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Plant rhizomes in early spring or after the last frost, ensuring proper conditions for emergence, as premature planting may delay growth or cause rhizome death.
Red King Humbert
Canna x generalis ‘Red King Humbert’, originating from Italy, is a majestic perennial with striking bright red flowers. Its large, lush leaves transition from green to a rich reddish-brown hue. As one of the tallest cannas, reaching heights of 4’-8’, it adds grandeur to any garden.
With optimal conditions, including full sun exposure, nutrient-rich soil, proper fertilization, and suitable temperatures, it can grow up to an impressive 8 feet tall, making it the perfect choice for those seeking height in their garden landscape.
Richard Wallace
Canna x generalis ‘Richard Wallace’ hails from the United Kingdom, offering lemon drop-yellow blooms with red spots at the flower’s throat. Its bright apple-green foliage complements bronze or purple-colored plants beautifully. Low maintenance, it thrives in full sun and doesn’t require fertilizing unless you desire fuller growth. Apply fertilizer mid-season to enhance its brilliance and promote vigorous growth.
Rosemond Cole
Canna x generalis ‘Rosemond Cole’ is a perennial variety, reaching 3’-4’ in height. Resembling the popular ‘Lucifer’, it features striking bright orange to yellow flowers. Its palmy emerald green foliage provides a stunning contrast to the vibrant flower petals. With large clusters of flowers displaying shades of bright orange and golden yellow, this canna adds a bold tropical vibe to any garden or patio, thriving in full to partial sun exposure in zones 4-11.
The President
For those who adore canna lilies but prefer a shorter stature, ‘The President’ is an ideal choice. With vibrant red blooms crowning lush green foliage, it brings a tropical vibe without towering heights. While capable of reaching 6 feet under perfect conditions, they typically grow to 3-4 feet. Perfect for pollinator gardens, they attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.
Tropical Sunrise
Transform your garden into a tropical paradise with ‘Tropical Sunrise’ canna lilies. Featuring vibrant peachy-colored flowers transitioning to soft pink, it adds a splash of color to any space. Thriving in containers, it’s perfect for large outdoor planters. Plant it in the center surrounded by smaller spillover plants for a stunning display. Ideal for zones 3-10, this perennial beauty brings tropical vibes to any setting.
Wyoming
Drawing inspiration from the vast landscapes of Wyoming, ‘Wyoming’ canna lilies embody the spirit of open spaces. With towering heights up to 6 feet, they boast lush purple and green foliage. Their blooms, reminiscent of a sunset over the plains, feature vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Big and dramatic, they make a striking addition to any sunny garden in zones 4-11.
Yellow Futurity
The ‘Yellow Futurity’ canna lily, a radiant addition to any garden. Its sunny blooms complement red and orange flowers, creating a perfect color scheme. Ideal for back borders or container focal points, it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, enhancing pollination. Enjoy its blooms from mid-summer until the first frost in zones 3-10.
Shell Pink
Canna x generalis ‘Shell Pink’ offers a vibrant addition to your garden, evoking a tropical oasis ambiance. With purple and green foliage, it blooms from mid-summer until the first frost. Deadheading old blooms and cutting dead stacks promote fuller growth and more blooms. Compact at 2’-3’, it’s perfect for sunny borders or containers, adding charm to any space in zones 4-11.
Stuttgart
Canna x generalis ‘Stuttgart’ originates from Germany and offers a unique option for shady garden areas. With a height of 4’-6’, it’s one of the rare cannas suited to partial sun exposure, as its leaves are prone to sunburn. Featuring variegated foliage with white stripes, it adds dimension to garden beds. Its small orange-to-yellow flowers provide a stunning contrast against the green and white leaves.
Tangelo
Canna x generalis ‘Tangelo’ lives up to its name with light tangerine-orange blooms, adding a tropical touch to your backyard. Thriving in full sun, it requires at least four hours of sunlight daily for optimal bloom production. While it can tolerate partial shade, expect variations in height and blooms. A rare find with its orange blooms, ‘Tangelo’ is an ideal choice for injecting vibrant color into your garden or containers, suited for zones 4-11.
Yellow King Humbert
The majestic ‘Yellow King Humbert’ canna lilies, originating from Italy and boasting regal beauty. These perennials stand tall at 5’-6’ with bicolor flower clusters, showcasing yellow petals with red spots. Occasionally, the blooms may entirely turn red. Adorned with green leaves bearing purple markings, this esteemed variety dates back to 1929, adding a touch of heritage to any garden in zones 4-11.
Apricot Dream
Scientifically called Canna x generalis, “Apricot Dream” is a perennial plant native to the United States. It can grow up to 2-3 feet in size, is suitable for zones 3-10, and does best in full sun. This diminutive cultivar blooms from mid-summer through late fall and features exquisite clusters of apricot flowers that resemble lilies.
Black Knight
The perennial Canna x generalis, also known as the “Black Knight,” has eye-catching dark purple to almost black foliage. Rich crimson blossoms complete the look, giving a striking touch to any container or garden. For blossoms that last from mid-summer to the first frost, plant it in the spring. It stands out among other garden plants because of its striking dark leaves, which adds a compelling touch amidst the greenery.
Carol’s Yellow
‘Carol’s Yellow’ (Canna x generalis), a 2018 introduction, is an eye-catching addition to gardens. This American-bred perennial grows best in full sun in plant zones 3 through 10. Its solitary blooms are speckled with subtle salmon and have a gradation from yellow to cream. It is a dwarf type that, in ideal circumstances, grows to a modest height of 3 to 4 feet, offering a lovely element to any landscape.
City of Portland
The ‘City of Portland’ (Canna x generalis) is a breathtaking perennial known for its beautiful coral-pink blooms and lush green foliage. Thriving in full sun and moist soil, it flourishes in zones 4-11. While mostly pest-free, occasional monitoring for Japanese beetles, caterpillars, and slugs is recommended. Plus, its non-toxic nature makes it a safe choice for pet-friendly gardens.
Cleopatra
‘Cleopatra’ (Canna x generalis) is a unique perennial, displaying diverse flower patterns including yellow with red spots, solid red, or a mix of both hues. Its blooms contrast beautifully with green and dark purple foliage. Unpredictable in nature, each plant offers a surprise combination of flowers. Larger tubers promise the potential for bigger plants and blooms.
Crimson Beauty
Fittingly named, ‘Crimson Beauty’ (Canna x generalis) is a gorgeous plant with crimson-red flowers that set off its rich green leaves in an attractive way. This perennial is best suited to sunny areas with damp soil; it loves the heat and humidity. It’s a flexible addition to gardens, especially around water features or swampy places.
Eureka
Known by its scientific name, Canna x generalis ‘Eureka,’ this perennial plant has delicate yellow blooms that age to ivory with tiny crimson spots. It grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet, prefers full sun, and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 10.
The exquisite petals are complemented by its pale green-blue foliage. Even though they are usually hardy, canna lilies can get rust, fungal leaf spots, or bacterial blight if they are packed too closely together or kept too wet. Make sure you plant in the spring with adequate distance between rhizomes—at least one foot—to avoid these problems.
