Plant Form: Shrub
Water Use: Low, Moderate
Mature Size: 2-6 ft. tall x 4-6 ft. wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring (Mar-May), Summer (June-August), Fall (Sept-Nov)
Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 10°F
Native to: Central & South America
Lantanas are prized not only for their performance during long hot summers, but also for their extremely long bloom season. Tiny 5-lobed flowers in dense hemispherical clusters from spring to fall attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinators. Most Lantanas are either forms of this species, or hybrids between this species and L. montevidensis, with a kaleidoscope of flower colors and combinations. Varieties range from low groundcovers to upright shrubs that are evergreen in mild winter regions, with flower colors including white, yellow, orange, red, and purple, often mixed in the same cluster. Prune hard in spring to remove dead wood and renew vigor. All tolerate extreme heat, including reflected heat from walls, driveways, and streets. Great for covering sunny banks and slopes. Perfect in flower and shrub beds, raised planters, and parkways and to soften fences and foundations. Lovely in rock gardens and borders and in pots for vibrant color on decks and patios.
THIS MONTH IN YOUR DESERT-SMART LANDSCAPE
Good month to control winter weeds before they flower.
- Plant ground covers, bulbs, low-water use plants, & natives if you missed the fall planting season
- Plant bare-root trees and shrubs through early March
- Prune evergreens now, but no later than spring or summer
- Prune the rest of your summer-blooming deciduous fruit & nut trees, roses, & dormant shrubs
- Fertilize perennials & trees with slow-release plant food (most natives and drought-adapted plants don’t need fertilizer)
- Water trees deeply to prepare for spring growth surge (deep roots protect trees from blowing over)
- Turn off irrigation timers if it rains