Zone: 10 or annual
Soil: Sand to loam
Light: Full sun to part sun
Bloom colour: Purple, yellow, red, white
Bloom period: 8 weeks from mid-summer
Height: 36 to 48 inches
Moisture: Dry to medium
Attracts: Moderate numbers of a variety of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Notes: Lantana camara comes from central America. This plant is an invasive species wherever it can overwinter. It should not be allowed to grow in USDA zones 7 or greater. It is fine as an annual in Eastern Canada and New England. If you live in the mid-Atlantic states or further south, then you should find a less invasive species to plant. The other thing to bear in mind is that like many plants, Lantana is quite toxic. This means you have to be careful not to plant it in an area close to where livestock or dogs may be present. You should also be careful with young children who might try to eat the berries.
It is fairly obvious why it has been introduced in many places throughout the world. The multi-coloured flowerheads are absolutely charming. Just like other exotic species it has not been here long enough to co-evolve with insects that could keep it under control. As an annual it is fairly attractive to impressive butterflies like the swallowtail shown here as well as hummingbirds. The red/orange combination is the most effective for attracting hummingbirds. These plants are drought resistant but they will need to be watered well for the first few weeks after planting.
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