Lantanas thrive in full sun and summer heat in Tulare and Kings counties. Its roots prefer warm soil and light watering, which is uncharacteristic of many plants. When first planting lantana in the garden, it is best to wait until late spring. They will grow rapidly throughout the summer and fall, then usually die back to woody stems with the first frost of winter. But do not despair, most of them will survive even a sudden frost and resume growth in the spring.
Members of the verbena family, many lantana plants are native to tropical regions of North, Central, and South America. They have simple, dark green leaves, often with serrated edges and are born in opposite pairs along the stem. Crushed leaves have a pungent odor that some people find objectionable. If grown in heavy shade, the foliage can become infected with mildew, but this is rarely a problem in Tulare-Kings counties. Lantana flowers are attractive to butterflies, moths and birds. However, the blackberry-like fruit is toxic to humans.
Another reason we love lantana is the abundance of color it provides throughout the entire growing season. They produce small flowers in tight clusters that resemble miniature nasal flowers. Both “old” and newer hybrid lantanas come in multiple vibrant colors and are perfect for summer pizzazz in the landscape. Many varieties are available in one color. Most nurseries carry several different varieties.
The first big decision you’ll need to make is which growth habit best suits the design of your garden or patio planter. Lantana grows in four forms: a large, loose, informal shrub; Rounded mound and more formal shrub habit; Low, spreading, ground cover; Usually compact and dwarf. Shrub species are used as low hedges or foundation plants. The spreading species are excellent ground covers that are effective for spilling over raised beds, planter boxes or hanging baskets.
After determining the growth habit that best suits the location you want to plant, all you have to do is choose a color that suits your landscape decorating theme. Multiple colors like “confetti” instantly create a festive mood in your garden or patio decor.
Lantana montevidensis It is known as lantana trailing. Lantana camara It is the tallest shrub. In today’s market we buy hybrids or selections of both types. Here are some that are commonly seen.
- ‘Confetti’ flowers are a mix of yellow, pink and purple.
- ‘Carpet Cream’ flowers are cream with a light yellow throat.
- ‘Gold Rush’ flowers are a rich golden yellow.
- ‘Spreading Sunset’ flowers are bright red-orange-yellow.
- ‘American Red’ flowers are bright red with yellow. 4-6 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Radiation’ flowers are rich orange-red. 3-5 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Erin’ flowers are purple and lemon yellow. Compact, 3 feet long and 4 feet wide.
- ‘Dwarf Yellow’ flowers are yellow. 2-4 feet tall and wide
The ‘Patriot’ series offers a variety of lantana plants in heights (from tallest to shortest) that are marketed as plumes, classics, colts, compacts and weepies.
Plant lantana where they can bask in full sun. Water them when the top of the soil is dry, and your flowers will continue to grow and bloom despite the heat. When it comes to fertilizing your lantana, there’s too much of a good thing!
WUCOLS (https://ccuh.ucdavis.edu/wucols) lists most lantana hybrids as low water users in our area. While established plants are drought-tolerant, they put on their best show when they receive approximately one inch of water per week, or when the top of the soil is dry. Plant lantana where they can bask in full sun. Fertilizers are usually not necessary.
If your plant becomes too large for its space, you can prune it again during the winter. Otherwise, only an occasional cut here and there is needed to keep the plants in check all season long! After planting, watch the butterflies come to visit the flowers.
