Canna lilies are popular ornamental plants known for their bold foliage, colorful flowers, and tropical appearance. They bring height, texture, and seasonal color to gardens, landscape borders, patios, and outdoor containers. Although commonly called lilies, cannas belong to the genus Canna and are not true lilies. Their distinctive leaves and long-lasting summer flowers make them recognizable additions to residential and public landscapes across the USA and UK.
There are many canna lily types, ranging from compact varieties suitable for pots to tall cultivars that create dramatic focal points in garden beds. Some have bright red or orange flowers, while others produce yellow, pink, salmon, or multicolored blooms. Their foliage can also vary considerably, with green, bronze, burgundy, striped, and purple-toned leaves available among different cultivars.
Understanding the main types of canna lilies makes it easier to compare their appearance, mature size, flowering characteristics, and suitability for different garden settings. Popular varieties such as Canna ‘Tropicanna’, ‘Wyoming’, ‘Australia’, ‘Lucifer’, and ‘Pretoria’ demonstrate the diversity within this ornamental plant group.
Understanding Different Types of Canna Lilies
Canna lilies are herbaceous perennials that grow from underground rhizomes. These thick, horizontal stems store nutrients and produce new shoots when growing conditions become favorable. In warm climates, cannas can remain in the ground throughout the year, while gardeners in colder parts of the USA and UK often lift and store their rhizomes during winter.
Most garden cannas are hybrids developed for their flowers, foliage, growth habits, or a combination of these features. Consequently, the term canna lily varieties usually refers to named cultivars selected for particular ornamental characteristics.
The main differences between canna varieties include:
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Flower color: Red, yellow, orange, pink, salmon, cream, or combinations of several colors.
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Foliage appearance: Green, bronze, purple, burgundy, or striped leaves.
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Plant height: Compact cultivars for containers and taller varieties for borders or landscape backgrounds.
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Flowering season: Most garden cannas flower during the warmer months, particularly summer and early autumn.
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Landscape use: Some varieties suit small gardens, while others are better suited to large beds, tropical-style borders, and statement plantings.
Cannas generally perform best in full sun, fertile soil, and consistent moisture. Their exact growth and flowering performance depend on the cultivar, climate, planting conditions, and length of the growing season.
1. Canna ‘Tropicanna’ (Phasion)
Canna ‘Tropicanna’, also known by its cultivar name ‘Phasion’, is one of the most recognizable varieties because of its multicolored foliage. Its large leaves feature striking combinations of green, red, yellow, and orange tones, while its flowers are typically bright orange.
This variety is well suited to tropical-style gardens, large patio containers, and landscape borders where foliage plays an important role in the overall design. It generally grows around 4–6 feet tall under suitable conditions, making it useful for adding height and visual interest.
The combination of striped leaves and vibrant blooms means ‘Tropicanna’ remains visually attractive even when individual flowers fade.
2. Canna ‘Wyoming’
Canna ‘Wyoming’ is known for its large bronze-purple leaves and vivid orange flowers. The dark foliage creates a strong contrast with the warm-colored blooms, making this cultivar a popular option for statement plantings.
Under favorable growing conditions, ‘Wyoming’ can reach approximately 5–8 feet tall, although its mature size varies with climate and cultivation. It works particularly well at the back of a flower border, beside a lawn, or in a spacious garden where its large leaves can spread without obstruction.
This variety is worth considering when a garden needs both substantial foliage and a strong seasonal flower display. It performs best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile soil and regular moisture.
3. Canna ‘Australia’
Canna ‘Australia’ is distinguished by its deep burgundy foliage and red-toned flowers. The dark leaves provide a dramatic appearance that works well in contemporary landscape designs, tropical borders, and mixed plantings.
Its foliage can create an attractive contrast against plants with lime-green leaves, silver foliage, or lighter-colored flowers. Planting several specimens together can also create a dense seasonal screen.
Gardeners should allow enough space for its broad leaves and upright stems. As with other dark-leaved cannas, sufficient sunlight helps maintain strong growth and an appealing foliage display.
4. Canna ‘Pretoria’ (Bengal Tiger)
Canna ‘Pretoria’, commonly associated with the name ‘Bengal Tiger’, is especially valued for its striped foliage. Its large green leaves feature prominent yellow or cream-colored markings, while its flowers are generally orange.
Unlike cultivars selected mainly for dark leaves or solid-colored blooms, this variety adds a patterned effect to the landscape. It can be planted beside plain green shrubs, ornamental grasses, or flowering perennials to create contrast.
‘Pretoria’ is suitable for sunny borders, tropical-themed beds, and large containers. It is also useful in gardens where foliage color needs to remain an important feature throughout the growing season. Cultivar names can vary among suppliers, so checking the plant label helps avoid confusion.
5. Canna ‘Lucifer’
Canna ‘Lucifer’ is a relatively compact cultivar recognized for its red flowers edged with yellow and its green, paddle-shaped leaves. Compared with many taller cannas, it is easier to incorporate into smaller flower beds and mixed borders.
The plant typically reaches around 45–60 cm in height, although growth can vary with conditions. Its compact habit makes it useful near paths, at the front or middle of a border, and in containers where very tall foliage would overwhelm surrounding plants.
‘Lucifer’ flowers during summer and can continue into early autumn when growing conditions remain favorable. Its contrasting flower colors make it a suitable option for gardeners who want a bright display without planting a giant canna.
6. Canna ‘Cleopatra’
Canna ‘Cleopatra’ is an unusual variety because its flowers may display yellow coloring with red markings, while its foliage can combine green and bronze-red patterns. The precise appearance may differ between individual plants.
This cultivar is useful in ornamental gardens where unusual flower markings and foliage variations are preferred over a uniform appearance. Its distinctive characteristics make it suitable for specimen planting, mixed tropical borders, and large decorative pots.
Because the coloration can be variable, gardeners should not assume every plant will have exactly the same pattern. Choosing an established, correctly labelled plant can help when a particular flower or leaf appearance is important.
7. Canna ‘Black Knight’
Canna ‘Black Knight’ is valued for its smoky burgundy foliage and crimson-red flowers. The leaves may appear almost black in certain lighting, creating a dramatic contrast with brighter neighboring plants.
This variety is suitable for bold planting schemes, dark foliage gardens, and landscape borders featuring red, orange, white, or silver-colored plants. Its upright growth habit also makes it useful for adding structure to mixed perennial beds.
It is generally a medium-to-tall garden canna, with mature size depending on the growing environment. A sunny location and consistent soil moisture support healthy foliage and flowering.
8. Canna ‘Pretoria’ and ‘Stuttgart’ for Variegated Foliage
Although ‘Pretoria’ is known for yellow-striped leaves, Canna ‘Stuttgart’ offers a different foliage effect. Its green leaves are marked with creamy white areas, while its flowers are generally orange. The light markings create a brighter appearance than the darker foliage found on cultivars such as ‘Australia’ and ‘Black Knight’.
‘Stuttgart’ is particularly interesting in mixed borders, where its pale foliage can stand out against darker shrubs and green-leaved plants. It can also provide contrast in tropical-style containers.
Variegated cannas may respond differently to sun exposure, heat, and growing conditions. A sheltered position with suitable light can help maintain attractive foliage, particularly where the leaves have large pale sections.
9. Canna ‘Richard Wallace’
Canna ‘Richard Wallace’ is a well-known yellow-flowering variety with fresh green foliage. Its sunny blooms provide a lighter alternative to the deep reds and oranges associated with many garden cannas.
This cultivar suits cottage-style borders, mixed perennial beds, and landscape designs featuring yellow, white, or purple flowers. The green leaves provide a simple background that allows the flowers to stand out.
Yellow cannas can be particularly effective when planted in groups, where their blooms create a more noticeable seasonal display. Like other cannas, ‘Richard Wallace’ prefers warmth, adequate sunlight, and moist but well-drained soil.
10. Canna ‘City of Portland’
Canna ‘City of Portland’ is appreciated for its coral-pink flowers and green foliage. Its softer flower color offers an alternative to the stronger red and orange tones commonly found in ornamental canna collections.
It can complement white flowering plants, ornamental grasses, and other summer perennials. The green foliage also makes it relatively easy to combine with different garden color schemes.
This variety is worth considering for residential landscapes where a warm but less intense flower color is preferred. As with other named cultivars, flowering intensity and mature height depend on the growing conditions and length of the warm season.
11. Canna ‘Intrigue’
Canna ‘Intrigue’ stands out for its distinctive narrow foliage, which can display purple, burgundy, and gray-green tones. Its orange-red flowers provide additional color without taking attention away from the leaves.
Compared with broad-leaved varieties, its more upright, architectural appearance can introduce a different texture into landscape beds. It is suitable for larger borders, tropical-inspired planting schemes, and locations where vertical foliage is desirable.
The mature height can vary considerably depending on growing conditions, so allow sufficient space when positioning this cultivar. Its foliage-focused appearance also makes it useful in areas where leaves contribute as much to the design as the flowers.
12. Canna ‘Cannova Lemon’
Canna ‘Cannova Lemon’ produces yellow flowers above green foliage. It belongs to the Cannova series, which includes cultivars selected for a range of flower colors and foliage characteristics.
The series offers options for gardeners looking for medium-sized plants for borders, containers, and seasonal landscape displays. ‘Cannova Lemon’ is particularly suitable for yellow-themed planting combinations or mixed beds containing white and orange flowers.
Its straightforward color combination can be easier to coordinate with other ornamental plants than some heavily striped or multicolored cultivars. The series includes several other flower colors, giving gardeners flexibility when planning coordinated plantings.
Canna Lily Colors and Foliage Differences
Flower color is one of the main reasons gardeners compare different types of cannas. However, foliage color is equally important because the large leaves remain prominent throughout much of the growing season.
| Canna lily color or feature | Example varieties | Main characteristic |
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| Red and crimson | ‘Black Knight’, ‘Lucifer’ | Bold flowers with strong visual contrast |
| Orange | ‘Wyoming’, ‘Tropicanna’ | Warm-colored blooms for summer borders |
| Yellow | ‘Richard Wallace’, ‘Cannova Lemon’ | Bright, sunny flower displays |
| Coral pink | ‘City of Portland’ | Softer flower color for mixed planting |
| Burgundy foliage | ‘Australia’, ‘Black Knight’ | Dark leaves that contrast with lighter plants |
| Striped foliage | ‘Pretoria’, ‘Tropicanna’ | Multicolored leaves that provide interest beyond flowering |
| Cream and green foliage | ‘Stuttgart’ | Pale markings that brighten ornamental beds |
Flower shades and foliage patterns can vary with the cultivar, plant maturity, light exposure, and environmental conditions. These descriptions represent common characteristics rather than a guarantee that every plant will look identical.
Choosing Canna Varieties for Different Garden Settings
Different canna plant varieties serve different landscape purposes. Selecting a cultivar based on its mature size, foliage, and flower color helps create a more balanced garden.
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Small gardens and patios: Compact varieties such as ‘Lucifer’ can fit into smaller spaces and decorative containers.
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Large flower borders: ‘Wyoming’ and ‘Tropicanna’ provide height, broad leaves, and colorful flowers.
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Dark foliage planting schemes: ‘Australia’ and ‘Black Knight’ create contrast with lighter-colored plants.
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Foliage-focused gardens: ‘Pretoria’, ‘Tropicanna’, and ‘Stuttgart’ offer distinctive leaf patterns.
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Yellow flower displays: ‘Richard Wallace’ and ‘Cannova Lemon’ provide bright yellow blooms.
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Mixed-color borders: ‘City of Portland’ introduces coral-pink flowers that can complement other summer perennials.
Before planting, check the expected height and spread on the nursery label. Two cultivars with similar flower colors may have substantially different growth habits.
Growing Canna Lilies in the USA and UK
Cannas are heat-loving plants that generally grow best in full sun and fertile, moisture-retentive soil. They benefit from regular watering during active growth, especially during hot weather. Good drainage is also important because constantly waterlogged soil can damage rhizomes, depending on the variety and conditions.
In warmer parts of the United States, including Florida and other frost-free or mild-winter areas, many cannas can be grown as perennials outdoors. In colder regions, gardeners commonly lift the rhizomes after the foliage has been damaged by frost and store them in a cool, frost-free place.
In the United Kingdom, cannas are often grown as summer bedding plants or in containers. Their rhizomes generally need winter protection, particularly in colder areas. In mild locations, a sufficiently thick layer of insulating mulch may protect plants left in the ground, although lifting and storing rhizomes is a safer option where severe frost is likely.
Cannas are commonly propagated by dividing healthy rhizomes. Each division should have at least one viable growing point. This allows gardeners to increase their plants while retaining the characteristics of a named cultivar.
Regularly removing faded flowers can help maintain a tidy appearance. Inspecting leaves and stems for pest damage and providing adequate spacing can also support healthier growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canna Lily Types
How many types of canna lilies are there?
There are numerous canna species, hybrids, and named cultivars. The exact number depends on how varieties and synonyms are counted. Gardeners can choose from compact, medium-sized, and tall forms with a wide range of flower and foliage colors.
Which canna lily varieties have dark leaves?
‘Australia’ and ‘Black Knight’ are well-known for their dark burgundy foliage. ‘Wyoming’ also has bronze-purple leaves, while ‘Tropicanna Black’ is recognized for deep purple-toned foliage.
What are the best canna varieties for pots?
Compact cultivars such as ‘Lucifer’ and selected members of the Cannova and South Pacific series can be suitable for containers. Choose a pot large enough for the mature plant and ensure it has adequate drainage.
Do all canna lilies have red flowers?
No. Canna lily colors include yellow, orange, pink, salmon, cream, red, and combinations of these shades. The available colors depend on the cultivar.
Can canna lilies survive winter outdoors?
This depends on the local climate and the level of frost protection. Cannas can remain in the ground in some warm or mild regions, but their rhizomes generally require protection in colder areas of the USA and UK.
Are canna lilies true lilies?
No. Cannas belong to the genus Canna in the family Cannaceae. Their flowers resemble lilies in some respects, but they are botanically distinct from true lilies in the genus Lilium.
Conclusion
The wide range of canna lily types makes these plants suitable for many different garden styles. ‘Tropicanna’ and ‘Pretoria’ are known for patterned foliage, ‘Wyoming’ combines bronze-purple leaves with orange flowers, and ‘Australia’ and ‘Black Knight’ provide darker foliage for dramatic planting schemes. Compact varieties such as ‘Lucifer’ can work well in smaller gardens, while yellow- and pink-flowering cultivars offer alternatives to traditional red and orange blooms.
When comparing canna lily varieties, consider more than flower color alone. Mature height, foliage patterns, available space, sunlight, moisture, and winter conditions all influence how well a cultivar performs. Choosing varieties according to these characteristics helps create a garden with balanced proportions, attractive foliage, and a colorful summer display.
