Gold

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Verbenaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Lantana

Species

sellowiana

Description

A semi-woody ornamental plant with a semi-recumbent habit; very hardy and versatile in its use, it is ideal both for adding colour and elegance to flowerbeds, even roadside verges, where it tolerates sunny positions well, and for decorating terraces and balconies in planters or large pots. It adapts well to hot dry summer climates, in Mediterranean areas it can have a perennial life cycle while in areas with cold winters protection with non-woven fabric is recommended. The abundant flowering, also appreciated by butterflies and other beneficial insects, lasts from mid-spring until mid-autumn with a profusion of flowers in warm, bright colours.

Variety description

Lantana sellowiana has smaller leaves than L. camara, the habit is prostrate and slightly drooping. It has small but numerous inflorescences. Very hardy and vigorous lantana variety, very suitable for landscape use as a tape-covering plant in mild or warm climate areas, even in difficult positions such as full sun, on poor or sandy soil. In cultivation it is a plant adaptable to different environments, both in the greenhouse and outdoors. It fears waterlogging especially at the beginning of cultivation.

Curiosities and special features

The generic term, Lantana, derives from the Latin name 'lénto', meaning slow to curve, in reference to the often curved stems, while the specific epithet montevidensis refers to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay where the species was discovered. The leaf extract is used in traditional medicine in the geographical areas where the species is native.

Origin and distribution

Native species of the seasonally dry tropical biomes of Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. Now widespread in Mediterranean areas with a warm climate.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, clustered within fine inflorescences.

Leaf

The leaves have elliptical, lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The abundant flowering lasts from mid-spring to early autumn for a duration of 130 to 190 days, allowing you to add a unique colour accent to your green spaces over the course of three seasons.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbel formed by several flowers.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, perfectly matching the colour tones of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.45 m due to its semi-recumbent habit.

Lifespan

Perennial plant, cultivated as an annual depending on the climatic conditions.

Where to plant

Versatile in its use, it is suitable for adding elegance and colour to outdoor spaces and environments such as flowerbeds, divider beds, balconies, borders, planters, large pots, terraces

Stem

Herbaceous, semi-woody stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is pom-pom-shaped, small, with a tubular corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 130 and 190 days. It has lemony notes and is lightly scented, with a fruity aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growing variety.

Plant habit

Its semi-recumbent, groundcover habit makes it ideal for creating dense foliage canopies studded with numerous colourful inflorescences with a landscape end result of considerable ornamental value.

Branching

Medium branching variety with well-proportioned habitus and rapid growth.

PH

The optimal soil pH is slightly acidic, with ideal values between 5.6 and 6.2.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, carry out light digging to remove any weeds and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser and break up the coarsest clods using a hoe. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing possible water stagnation followed by root rot, continue by creating a raised flowerbed by slightly bouldering the soil and finally leveling the surface by preparing the planting holes according to a suitable density.

Sun exposure

Expose the plant to full sun, afternoon sun for luxuriant flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20 °C, it adapts well to hot, dry summer climates; in cold winter climate areas protection with non-woven fabric is recommended. The vital temperature is between -3 and 40 °C

Use

For its luxuriant flowering, ground cover and drought resistance it is considered the optimal choice in:

Outdoor ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

A highly rustic variety, it withstands intense summer heat and drought well and is the optimal choice in a climate scenario with increasingly torrid summers.

Soil

It prefers medium, light, loose and well-draining soil as it fears waterlogging, which can lead to the development of fungal diseases and consequent root rot with decay of the entire plant; if the soil is too compact, it is advisable to bury sand during the pre-transplant preparation. For pots and planters, use a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite; in addition, place inert material such as gravel on the bottom to promote drainage.

Difficulty

Overall, cultivation is fairly easy with a low level of management effort.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation tips specific to the variety aimed at optimal growth with abundant flowering:
Expose the plant to maximum light Avoid over-watering Prefers warm, dry climate

Combinations with other plants

It is suitable for creating landscape colour effects and plays of movement in compositions with Helichrysum petiolare, Plectranthus coleoides, Senecio cineraria or with other varieties of Lantana sellowiana with different inflorescence colour tones.

Planting

For bed planting we recommend an average density of 12 plants per square metre in order to obtain correct spacing between each individual specimen and, consequently, correct development as well as a compact and proportionate final composition. We suggest placing each seedling in a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots, and then water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

It is multiplied by seed or by apical cutting.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water with a neutral optimum pH, either by hand or using an irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the seedling by keeping the soil or substrate at a constant humidity but without over-watering.

Afterwards, it is advisable to allow the soil to dry out slightly between successive waterings, avoiding both dryness, so as not to compromise flowering, and excessive watering with subsequent root rot. Do not water the aerial part of the plant from above during the afternoon-evening to prevent the development of fungal diseases.

Fertilising

It is a species with medium to high nutrient requirements, with a predominance of potassium. To stimulate the growth and development of large, colourful inflorescences, prepare a fertilisation programme for the vegetative period by applying a liquid fertiliser for ornamental flowering plants to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in the irrigation water, or a slow-release granular fertiliser.

Pet safety

Potentially toxic.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Potentially toxic, do not ingest any part of the plant.

Tip

Sellowiana lantanas are strong and bountiful in warm, dry Mediterranean climates and endure even in winter, often even flowering continuously. In cooler climates they can become perennial by protecting them with non-woven fabric, at least the first year when temperatures drop below zero. With temperatures below 9-10°C, avoid even brief over-watering.