Add color to a xeriscape garden with the bright red, orange or yellow Lantana plant flowers. Known for tolerating drought well, Lantana can be grown in colder climates as annually blossoming plants that thrive well in sunny garden borders and hanging baskets. In warm, humid climates, the plant can be grown naturally outdoors as a woody perennial and can be used to attract butterflies to your garden. Also known as shrub verbena, lantana is best planted when your yard gets at least eight hours of full sunlight each day and the when the soil has warmed up sufficiently in late spring.
To grow lantanas in the garden
Use small potted Lantana plants for your garden instead of starting from seed level. Using a garden trowel, dig holes that are 4 inches across and 6 inches deep with a minimum of 1-foot clearance between your lantanas and other plants.
Fill the bottom of the hole with a one inch thick layer of pebbles to enhance drainage and add about an inch of compost. Place your lantana plant in the prepared hole and fill with garden soil. Ensure that leaves and stems of the plant remain above soil level. To retain warmth and moisture at the deep root level, you would need to spread a 1-inch layer of mulch each month around the base of the lantanas.
To grow lantanas in hanging baskets
Use a well drained container, hanging basket or decorative flowerpot to plant lantanas. Use standard potting soil for these plants.
When to water your Lantana?
Throughout the growing season, you would need to water your lantana plants every 7 to 10 days after planting. Between watering, allow the soil to dry and add a top layer of mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
Warnings
The unripe berries of the lantana plants may be poisonous to small children and pets and you should ensure that your local Poison Control Center has an antidote for it before you plant these in your garden.
