Lantanas thrive in the full sun and heat of our summers in Tulare and Kings counties. Their roots prefer warm soils and light watering, which is uncharacteristic of many plants. When planting lantanas for the first time in the garden, it is best to wait until late spring. They will grow rapidly all summer and fall, and then usually die back to woody stems with the first frost in winter. But don't despair, most will survive even a sudden frost and resume their growth in spring.
Members of the Verbena family, many lantanas are native to tropical areas in North, Central, and South America. They have dark green simple leaves, often with toothed edges and born in opposite pairs along a stem. The crushed foliage has a pungent odor that some people find objectionable. If grown in dense shade the foliage can get 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 are toxic to humans.
Another reason why we like lantanas is the profusion of color they provide throughout the entire growing season. They produce tiny flowers in tight clusters that look like miniature nosegays. Both "old fashioned" and newer hybrid lantanas come in vibrant multicolors, which are perfect for summer pizazz in the landscape. Several varieties are available as one solid color. Most nurseries carry several different cultivars.
The first big decision you need to make is which growth habit best fits your garden design or patio planter. Lantanas grow in four forms: large, loose and informal shrub; round mound and more formal shrub habit; low, spreading, groundcover; and a dwarf compact habit. Shrubby kinds are used as low hedges or foundation plants. Spreading kinds are excellent groundcovers that are effective spilling over raised beds, planter boxes or hanging baskets.
After you determine which growth habit best suits the location where you want to plant, all you need to do is select which color best fits your landscape decorating theme. The multi-color, “confetti” like colors instantly create a festive mood in your garden or patio decor.
Lantana montevidensis is known as the trailing lantana. Lantana camara is the taller shrub. In today's market we buy hybrids or selections of the two species. Here are a few that are commonly seen.
- 'Confetti' blossoms are a mix of yellow, pink and purple.
- 'Cream Carpet' blossoms are cream with a bright yellow throat.
- 'Gold Rush' blossoms are a rich golden yellow.
- 'Spreading Sunset' blossoms are vivid yellow-orange red.
- 'American Red' blossoms are bright red with yellow; 4-6 feet tall and wide.
- 'Radiation' blossoms are rich orange-red; 3-5 feet tall and wide.
- 'Irene' blossoms are magenta and lemon yellow; compact 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
- 'Dwarf yellow' blossoms are yellow; 2-4 feet tall and wide
The "Patriot" Series offers a variety of lantanas in heights (tallest to shortest) that they market as pillars, classics, ponies, petites, and weepers.
Plant lantanas 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 is such thing as 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 stage the best show when they receive roughly one inch of water per week, or when the top of the soil is dry. Plant lantanas where they can bask in full sun. Fertilizer is usually not necessary.
If your plant becomes too large for its area, you may prune it back during winter. Otherwise, only an occasional snip here and there is needed to keep plants in check all season long! After planting, watch the butterflies come to visit the flowers.
