How to Use Lantana
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Design a coastal landscape with lantanas. The plants tolerate salt air and bloom in humid conditions. They grow in sandy or clay soils. Choose Spanish Flag species such as Miss Huff for a striking large flowering shrub. This lantana grows 5 to 6 feet across and up to 10 feet tall. The flowers bloom steadily spring to fall and are usually pink, orange and yellow. The plant dies back in cold weather but often comes back in spring from the crown. It is an excellent deer repellent. - 2
Plant regional ground covers with creeping or trailing lantanas. These fast-growing perennials grow 6 to 18 inches tall and up to 4 feet across. The leaves are dark green and flowers are usually blue, white, yellow or purple. Creeping lantanas grow best in full sun and need little water once they are established. They trail well from patio containers and in rockeries. Use creeping lantanas for arid areas or slopes not easily reached for regular irrigation. - 3
Select mounding lantanas for arid or xeriscape gardens. These plants grow from 1 foot to over 5 feet tall. They make colorful hardy bushes in a variety of colors and tolerate hot sun and drought. The flowers often open in one color and as they mature develop additional flowers in the cluster in two or three colors. The flowers draw butterflies and hummingbirds to gardens. - 4
Control lantanas in several ways. If they are invasive, pull out the plants before the pea-size seeds form. Birds eat and spread lantanas through the seeds. Many lantanas are not invasive. Their seeds do not produce new plants. Choose beautiful lantanas such as Moeller or New Gold that are sterile and do not produce berries. Check with your local garden center for climate-suited lantanas.
