Each month, we highlight a "Very Impressive Plant" turning heads in the SF Bay Area.
Lovely Lantana
Lantana is a genus of flowering plants in the verbena family. It's known for its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers and is a popular choice for gardens due to its hardiness and long blooming season.
Why plant lantana?
Drought tolerant: Once established, lantana requires minimal watering.
Long blooming season: Lantana can bloom for several months, providing vibrant color. It is especially vibrant in the summer when the spring plants have finished blooming.
Variety of colors: Lantana flowers come in a wide range of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. We chose to highlight red lantana which is vibrant even in the summer sun.
Attracts pollinators: Lantana is a great plant for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to the garden.


Landscaping with Lantana
Lantana is incredibly versatile. It can be used as a groundcover, in containers, or as a colorful hedge. When planting lantana, give it plenty of space to spread out. Lantana prefers full sun and well-drained soil. There are many varieties of lantana available, each with its own unique flower color. We are highlighting 'Dallas Red' in this post. Other varieties we love include 'Havana Sunset,' 'New Gold,' and 'White Lightning.'
Tips for Using Lantana in Your Garden
Choose the right species and variety. L. camara is a mounding shrub that ranges in size from 3' - 10' tall and wide depending on the variety. In contrast, Lantana montevidensis looks great as a ground cover or trailing over a wall or planter. Consider the growth habit, mature size, and the color of the flowers.
Lantana is a tough, versatile plant that can handle poor soils, clay soil, heat or part shade. However, it performs best with at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Water deeply but infrequently. Once established, lantana is drought-tolerant. Water twice per week in the spring and 2 - 4 times per week in the summer heat.
Prune regularly. Prune lantana to shape it and encourage bushier growth. Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.

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