Texas lantana produces deep purple-black berries which are poisonous to most mammals, including cattle, sheep and humans. However many birds relish them and spread the seeds. Birds are not the only wildlife to benefit. Bees use the nectar in honey production. Texas lantana, with its verbena tube flowers, is an excellent food-source for many nectaring butterflies, especially swallowtails, hairstreaks, skippers, sulphurs and brush-foot butterflies.
It is also a crucial food source for the larva of the Lantana Scrub-Hairsteak butterfly. Lantana has so many excellent traits; every common name for it tells us a good thing about this plant which is a staple in heat-scored Texas gardens:.
Calico bush — for the patchwork colors in the flower clusters that turn colors as they age from yellow to orange to red. West Indian shrub-verbena — for the verbena-like flowers — yes, it is in the Verbena Family. West Indian from the Native American tribes that used the plants to treat snake-bite, the leaves as poultice for wounds and teas as a stomach tonic. And shrub — because it is a low-growing shrub. The original scientific name of Lantana horrida refers to the strong smell of the leaves that can affect sensitive persons.
Propagation is most easily done by dividing the roots in winter while it is dormant. Presentations are linked where available. Lantana camara Photo by Neal Kramer Common names: lantana Lantana camara lantana is a shrub family Verbenaceae with a multicolored cluster of flowers and fragrant oval-shaped leaves found in the central and south coast ranges of California.
Explanation of CDFA ratings A — A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment. B — A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution. Gardeners should take care when choosing a lantana for the landscape.
Thankfully, more and more nurseries carry sterile Lantana camara varieties. These plants cannot produce viable seeds or viable pollen. As a result, they aren't invasive. Photo: G. Lantana camara and its sterile varieties are perennial.
The growth habit is that of a small shrub or groundcover. If the plants grow too large or leggy, cut them back without fear.
During the growing season, cut back in moderation. At the end of the growing season, however, lantana can be cut back almost to the ground. The next flush of growth will yield even more flowers than before. All lantana enjoy full sun. They are drought-tolerant, too, but will flower more when watered regularly.
As mentioned above, they are also tolerant of salt and heat. This makes lantana a very hardy plant. It is a perfect choice for a low-maintenance landscape. Lantana prefers well-drained soil. It thrives in our Floridian "sandy loam. In all locations, lantana benefits from light applications of fertilizer. Use fertilizer labeled "slow release" or "controlled release" to avoid runoff.
Most varieties, including sterile ones, have few diseases or pests. In all varieties, however, the leaves are highly toxic to animals.
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