As an avid gardener in the southern part of Alabama, where the climate is warm and conducive to growing a wide range of plants, including canna lilies, I’ve had the pleasure of cultivating various varieties. Each variety brings its own unique flair to the garden with vibrant colors and distinct characteristics. Here are ten different canna lily varieties that thrive well in this region, along with their characteristics:

Tropicanna® (Canna indica ‘Phasion’)

Famous for its striking foliage that features stripes of red, yellow, pink, and green. It blooms with vibrant orange flowers that add a tropical flair to any garden. This variety can reach up to 6 feet tall, making it a stunning backdrop for garden beds.

Australia

This variety is known for its nearly black, burgundy-colored foliage and deep red flowers, creating a dramatic contrast in the garden. ‘Australia’ can grow up to 4-5 feet tall and thrives in full sun, making it a bold statement piece.

Pretoria’ (Also known as ‘Bengal Tiger’

Recognizable by its green leaves striped with yellow and large, bright orange flowers. ‘Pretoria’ can grow up to 6 feet tall and is perfect for adding a splash of color and texture to the landscape.

Yellow King Humbert

Features large, banana-like green leaves and bright yellow flowers with red speckles. It’s a robust grower that can reach up to 5 feet in height, offering a sunny disposition to any garden setting.

Pink Sunburst

This variety boasts beautiful pink flowers with a golden throat and green leaves that have white and pink stripes. It’s a medium-sized canna, reaching about 3-4 feet tall, ideal for adding a soft touch of color.

Red King Humbert

Known for its bronze-red foliage and large, fiery red flowers, this variety can make a dramatic impact in the garden, growing up to 5 feet tall. It’s perfect for gardeners who love rich, warm colors.

Stuttgart

Unique for its variegated foliage, which is a rare sight in canna lilies. The leaves are green with large patches of white, and it produces orange flowers. Because of its variegation, it’s more sensitive to direct sunlight and can reach about 4 feet in height.

Cleopatra

Famous for its unpredictable foliage and flowers. The leaves can be either green or maroon, sometimes both, and the flowers can be yellow, red, or a mix of both colors. This variety reaches about 4-5 feet in height, adding an element of surprise to your garden.

Erebus

Ideal for smaller spaces or containers, this variety grows to about 3 feet tall and produces lovely soft pink flowers atop blue-green foliage. It’s perfect for adding a delicate touch to the garden.

Black Knight

With its deep burgundy-black foliage and dark red flowers, ‘Black Knight’ is a true showstopper that can add depth and mystery to any garden. It grows up to 5-6 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade.

These canna lily varieties not only thrive in the warm, humid climate of southern Alabama but also add an incredible range of colors, textures, and heights to the garden. They’re relatively easy to care for, requiring regular watering, occasional fertilization, and full to partial sun exposure to flourish. Whether you’re designing a tropical-themed garden or simply looking to add some vibrant splashes of color, these canna lilies are sure to impress.