Planting Canna Seedlings?

I live in Southern NC (zone 7). I have received many, many canna seeds this week. If I germinate the seeds and get them sprouted and up and grown say maybe 6". Would it be OK for me to plant them in the ground in the next couple months like maybe before end of Oct. or so and if I mulch them really well, do you think they will be OK and come back next spring? Trying to get a jump on them by setting them out this year. Also, would I need to cut down their foliage when it starts to get really cold and before I mulch them?