The Secrets To Growing Lantana – And Keep It Blooming Big!: Growing lantana is something you should think about doing this year if you want to see a riot of vibrant hues spreading throughout your land. You won’t be let down by the vibrant blooms that they produce throughout the entire summer, regardless of whether you cultivate them in hanging baskets, window boxes, or even directly in flowerbeds.
The Secrets To Growing Lantana – And Keep It Blooming Big!
There are clusters of many tiny trumpet-like blooms that are characteristic of lantanas. These blooms often come in a variety of hues. Their vibrant hues combine to produce gorgeous flowers that are between one and two inches in diameter and fill their planting space with a vibrant array of colors.
Varieties of Lantana – Growing Lantana
One of the floral perennials that belongs to the Verbenaceae family is the lantana. There are around 150 distinct kinds available, ranging from small herbaceous plants to large shrubs. Smaller types are more common.
In spite of the fact that lantana is classified as a perennial, it is only hardy in growth zones 9 till 11. It is considered an annual in all other zones, and it is typically grown in hanging baskets and containers throughout the year. The impressive circular cluster of blooms that lantanas produce is what sets them apart from other plants. The shades of orange, pink, red, yellow, white, or blue are featured in a combination of colors on these items.
Typically, as the flowers age, they begin to change hues, and by the time they reach maturity, each bloom will include between two and three distinct shades. For instance, the Red Lantana initially appears as a shade that is somewhere between gold and a deep yellow. However, when the flowers grow, they change color to a combination of orange and dark crimson. This occurs as the blooms age.
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There are blossoms of a red lantana that is both orange and yellow. The Red Lantana begins as a yellow flower but eventually transforms into a stunning orange and red color. Additionally, due to the fact that the leaves of lantana plants are poisonous, animals such as rabbits and deer tend to avoid them. Because of this, they are a wonderful choice for planting close to plants that are more appealing.
You can cultivate them as border plants or use them as ground cover among the plants that have a more flavorful flavor. There are several types that are deemed to be non-sterile, which means that the plants do not generate seeds or pollen that cannot be fertilized. Instead, some types produce fruit that is not edible, which can lead to a decrease in the amount of blooming that occurs.
How To Grow, Maintain, And Keep Lantana Blooming Strong
1.Watering
As a result of their drought tolerance, lantanas are more susceptible to being overwatered than they are to being underwatered. A weekly watering should be sufficient for lantanas in their early stages, since this will assist them in becoming established.
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After they have been established, however, you should only water the plants when there is a prolonged period of dryness.
When watering a flowering plant, it is important to remember to water the plant from the base rather than above the blooms. Aim to water your plants first thing in the morning.
2.Fertilizing
Despite the fact that lantanas produce a large number of flowers, they do not require any additional amounts of fertilizer that are applied to them. The use of fertilizers can frequently result in an increase in the amount of foliage rather than an increase in the number of blooms.
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Compost can be used as a mulch around lantana plants to give them a consistent little dose of fertilizer each time it rains. This can be accomplished by using compost as a mulch. Another option is to make a compost tea in order to provide plants with a natural and light dose of fertilizer. In the event that you decide to fertilize, use a little amount of an all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer in the early spring, just before the flowers begin to blossom.
It is also possible to administer a mild second dose to perennial lantana plants in the late summer, when the blooming process has slowed down. With a monthly dosage of compost tea, worm casting tea, or even grass clippings tea, plants that are grown in hanging baskets or pots can reap the benefits of these beverages.
Every one of these organic fertilizers is made from natural ingredients, and they provide plants with a moderate amount of nutrients without being overbearing or harmful.
3.Deadheading & Pruning
Deadheading wasted blooms is one of the most effective strategies to ensure that your lantana plants continue to produce healthy blooms throughout the entire summer.
Remember that sterile varieties do not require deadheading in order to be considered sterile. It is inevitable that a cluster of flowers will eventually transform into seed heads as they begin to fade.
It is possible to simply cut off the blooms that are on the verge of fading in order to assist the plant in transferring its energy toward generating additional blooms rather than seeds. Just make sure that you do not cut off any buds that are developing underneath the blooms that have already been wasted. To achieve denser and fuller growth, lantana should be pruned at an earlier stage.
A further benefit is that it will assist in preventing the spread of variations from becoming out of control. At the beginning of spring, if you are cultivating lantana as a perennial, you should simply prune the plants so that they are between six and twelve inches above the soil level.
This will encourage the plants to blossom and branch out. There was a butterfly that landed on the leaves of lantana plants that were developing. In addition, pollinators take pleasure in the vibrant blooms of lantana.
4.Word of Caution
Because of its ability to blanket the ground and the ease with which it may self-seed, lantana is truly considered to be an invasive plant in certain situations. Before planting, you should make it a point to check with the extension offices in your area to determine whether or not there are any rules or restrictions that pertain to your particular region.
The use of sterile variants should be considered in these circumstances if at all practicable. On the other hand, growing lantana is an excellent way to add a rainbow of colors and textures to your property and landscape, and it requires very little upkeep on your part. This is true for many other regions as well. You may get even more helpful advice by following our Facebook page. On Facebook, the Simple Garden Life webpage.
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Our Lantana At-A-Glance sheet is available for you to download, print out, or save at your convenience. Although it is sized for printing in half letter, it can be adjusted up or down if necessary.
