Lantastic Yellow

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Verbenaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Lantana

Species

camara

Description

Ornamental plant with a compact, globose habit, very rustic, vigorous and easy to manage. Ideal both for use in flowerbeds, even in borders, where it tolerates sunny positions well, and to decorate terraces and balconies in planters or tubs. It adapts well to summer heat, becoming perennial in Mediterranean climate zones. The abundant and fragrant flowering, appreciated by butterflies and other beneficial insects, lasts from early spring until mid-summer with a profusion of flowers in warm, bright colours, polychrome or monochrome.

Variety description

The lantana lantastic has a round and compact habit. It is ideal for high-density cultivation. In summer it is one of the most resistant species to full sun. In flowerbeds it tolerates the sunniest positions like few other flowering plants. In Mediterranean climates it can become perennial. In tubs, it withstands the sun well but must not be neglected in watering as it could easily lose its flowers.

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 camara derives from the Greek 'kamara' meaning dome perhaps in relation to the shape of the fruit. The name lantana, previously given to Viburnum whose species V. lantana has leaves similar to those of Lantana camara, was given to it by Linnaeus.

In its native areas, the wild form is used in folk medicine, a type of ink is also extracted from the fruit and brooms are made from the branches.

Origin and distribution

Native to the central and southern regions of America, where some spontaneous forms are considered weeds due to their high vigour; it was discovered in Brazil and in the 19th century it was imported to Europe as an ornamental plant with showy blooms to decorate parks and gardens, becoming one of the most popular plants for cultivation in greenhouses and subsequently the subject of intense genetic improvement work that led to the introduction of many varieties that differ from each other in their vegetative vigour and the colour shades of their flowers. Over the centuries, due to its high rusticity and tolerance to different habitats, its geographical distribution range has become increasingly wide, reaching Australia, India and Africa.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, lending elegance to the lush bloom.

Leaf

The leaf has an elliptical, lanceolate lamina, finely wrinkled to the touch and slightly pubescent, and in some varieties exudes an intense aroma when rubbed.

Flowering period

It blooms from early spring to early autumn for a duration of 180 to 240 days. This is useful for designing and obtaining green areas with continuous flowering, alternating different ornamental species and varieties with variously coloured flowers or foliage throughout the year.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella consisting of scaled flowers.

Leaf colour

Solid colours, in chromatic harmony with the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.35 m, an excellent choice for compact and colourful ornamental solutions, also in composition with other taller flowering species in order to obtain landscape perspective views.

Lifespan

A perennial plant in Mediterranean climates, it is often cultivated as an Annual in areas with harsh winters.

Where to plant

With its high decorative value, it is suitable for decorating both large green spaces in landscaping and smaller areas, and is the optimal solution for use in flowerbeds, balconies, terraces, tubs, flowerbeds, borders

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 early spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 180 and 240 days. It is lemon-scented, with a fruity aroma. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

The growth is compact, ideal for landscape arrangements in flowerbeds or for decorating terraces and balconies in pots and planters.

Plant habit

Variety with a globular habit, ideal for creating compositions with other ornamental species of different heights to achieve perspective effects.

Branching

It develops abundant branching with a well-proportioned ratio of foliage to flowers.

PH

The optimal pH of the soil or medium for Lantana camara is slightly acidic, between 5.6 and 6.1.

Soil preparation

Before spring transplanting into the garden, carry out light digging removing any weeds and bulky stones, continue by burying organic or chemical fertiliser and, with the help of a hoe, break up the coarser clods. In order to improve the drainage of excess water, preventing any water stagnation followed by root rot, create a raised flowerbed by slightly bouldering the soil, then level the surface by preparing the planting holes at a suitable density.

Sun exposure

It prefers full sun, afternoon sun; light is a major factor as the lantana needs direct light to ensure conspicuous and prolonged flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 26 °C, under which conditions the plant expresses maximum vegetative development and best flowering. The biological temperature is between 10 and 35 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates in the Mediterranean area where it can become perennial. The vital temperature is between -2 and 35 °C

Use

Due to its spectacular flowering and high rusticity, it is considered an ideal plant in:
Ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

It is highly rustic, adapting to hot and dry climates.

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

Easy to manage, it is an optimal solution for ornamenting gardens, flowerbeds and terraces without requiring any particular effort in its maintenance.

Growing tips

In order to achieve lush vegetative growth and excellent flowering, it is necessary to know and adopt the following variety-specific cultivation aspects and requirements:

With too little light, the plants do not flower Avoid over-watering Ensure at least 6 hours of direct light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers warm and dry climate

Combinations with other plants

Suitable for creating landscape colour effects and plays of movement in Composition with Canna indica, Carex comans bronze, Cordyline australis purpurea, Cosmos, Gomphrena globosa, Helichrysum petiolare, Miscanthus sinensis, Rudbeckia hirta, Salvia farinacea, Senecio cineraria.

Planting

For planting in a garden or flower bed we recommend an average density of 16 plants per square metre in order to obtain correct spacing between each individual specimen and, consequently, correct development of the root and aerial apparatus as well as a compact and proportionate final composition. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots, and finally 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 an optimal sub-acidic pH, either by hand or using an irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the seedling to the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity but without over-watering.

Afterwards, it is advisable to allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between successive waterings, avoiding both dry strikes, which cause the flowers to fall early, and water stagnation with subsequent root rot. It is preferable not to water the foliage of the plant during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the development of fungal diseases and to avoid damaging the flowers.

Fertilising

To stimulate the growth and development of large, colourful Inflorescences, set up a fertilising programme during the spring-summer period by adding a liquid fertiliser for ornamental flowering plants to the soil or medium, diluted in the irrigation water, or a slow release granular fertiliser.

Pet safety

Potentially toxic to domestic animals, cattle and sheep.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

The green, unripe fruits are toxic to humans if ingested.

Tip

It is a variety that is very resistant to heat, but also to cold. In continental climates, it can become multi-annual or shrub-like by sheltering it in winter with non-woven fabric when temperatures drop below zero. Avoid over-watering, remembering that a lack of water causes the flowers to fall and it takes 10 days for new ones to appear. For abundant flowering and a vigorous foliage it is advisable to fertilise even in summer at least every 15 days, preferably more often if in pots or tubs. In the flowerbed it is advisable to interplant a slow-release fertiliser lasting 5-6 months at 180 g/sqm.