The Lovely Lantanas

I love lantanas.  They are tough, the deer don't like them, handle drought conditions and yet they give you a wide variety of colors for your garden or containers.  But this year, my little friends did not do so well.  Lots of green stuff....not so much color.  Someone in the industry told me that if they get into stressful conditions they go to seed.  Well, I got a lot of seeds so those poor things must have been very stressed.

For sure the ones that were paired with the aggressive grasses did the worst.  Won't do that again....for two reasons.  The "buddies" never got the water or food they needed but worse than that when I had to put the plants those grass roots were everywhere.  After digging forever to get those deep roots out I found I had lost most of the soil in the container.  But I digress...back to those lovely lantanas.

Early in the season when all was well with their world, they were impressive.  Check them out....

 

Lantana Confetti

 

Yellow, pink, purple

Full sun

Spreads to 36"

Height to 24"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a perfect companion for Confetti is Homestead Purple Verbena.  This particular container also had Purple Persian Shield as the centerpiece....a nice arrangement that did well together.

 



 

 

While I loved Confetti for its color, I will always be a major fan of Lantana Chapel Hill Yellow.  It shines in every department -- vigor, bright yellow flowers, tough and it's perennial. 

 

 

A lantana that I came with the containers this season was Lantana Spreading Sunset...a bright orange number that has a mounding habit and gets to 24".  I liked the bright zing of color but can't say I was overwhelmed with its behavior.

 

 

 

Although this bumblebee seems pretty darn happy with it.

 

 

Another favorite lantana that unfortunately I didn't get a picture of is Samantha.  While the light yellow flower is pretty, it really is the variegated leaves that makes this one a winner.  It got big, even in a container, so you can count on it becoming a small shrub in your garden. 

 

 

For small lantanas that spread  more, I like the "Lucky" series, which comes in a variety of colors.  I did use Lucky Yellow in a couple containers but I still prefer the Chapel Hill Yellow.  You will be able to find most of these lantana next year in your local nurseries and even the box stores, but for true variety, you can always count on Thomas Orchards in Bishop.  For now, just put these names on your garden list to design your beds and containers in the spring.

 

Town Park Urns - Bright New Look

I was going to write about the collection of coleus around town but thought I'd introduce the two newest members to the container collection.  There are two beautiful black metal urns just inside the Jefferson Street gates of the Town Park and the original plantings done by the City didn't survive the intense heat we just had so I added some new plants that are a little tougher and can withstand all day sun.  Just like the other containers, I added some moisture beads, then slow release fertilizer and a thick layer of mulch -- the basic recipe for success.   Let's check out what went into the urns......

The Skypencil Holly (Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil') was original to the urn and is in the center; on either side is Euphorbia x martini 'Ascot Rainbow'; in front and back is Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' (commonly referred to as "Asparagus Fern" although it is not truly a fern); with one Lantana 'Chapel Hill' tucked in the center for a pop of bright yellow color that will echo the yellow in the euphorbia. 

Euphorbia x martini 'Ascot Rainbow'


20" tall x 20" wide
Reddish stems with green/yellow variegated leaves
Heat and drought tolerant

Easy to care for plant although watch for mealy bugs.

Lantana 'Chapel Hill'

16" tall x 24" wide
Heat and drought tolerant
Deer resistant
Butterfly and hummingbird attractor

Is considered a perennial in Zone 8
Blooms reliably from June until frost











Although the asparagus fern likes some shade, it can do fine in the sun.  This will be a great test for it in these urns -- not a bit of shade.  The Skypencil holly mature size can be 10 feet tall by 2.5 feet wide, but it is such a slow grower that there is no concern about it overtaking this pot. 

The asparagus fern, lantana and holly are easy enough to find in most nurseries.  Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is a little harder to find but you can get it at Thomas Orchards Greenhouse in Bishop, Georgia. 

Next time -- the "Under The Sea" collection of coleus -- a great array of colors and leaf shapes.