This is one of the few flowers that blooms every day of the year and is considered a garden plant. Lantana is a small shrub, but it branches very quickly and in a bushy way, usually reaches a height of between one or two meters.
Lantana has a characteristic smell, its aroma is penetrating and its varied tones between orange and yellow; pink or bright mauve identifies it with the naked eye. Its leaves are simple, but at the same time rough, rough and with a serrated edge.
This plant is known by various names, but its scientific name is Lantana camara, although popularly it is very possible that they call it simply lantana or camara, Spanish flag, leprechaun flower, three colors and many more.
Lantana to the naked eye is beautiful for its glossy foliage, its lingering delicate aroma, able to develop more quickly in mild and warm climatesNot so in lower temperatures, in short it is a plant quite resistant to the summer drought.
Butwhat are the origins of this plant recognized as beautiful by the degradation of its tones and colors? It is native to Central, South and South America and characterized as a persistent shrub.
It is not demanding as to the type of soil where it can branch, It is resistant to droughtIt also requires little watering but sunshine to flourish. It offers an extensive flowering and as it grows the nuances of its colors generate changes between red, yellow, pink, lilac and white.
To plant it, you must choose dates between March until May and after the last frosts, so that it can bloom in the summer season, so it is recommended that they grow in a warm and bright place, which can contribute to accelerated development.
How to plant it?
In an open field and so you can keep your special and beautiful bloom, use rich, composty, well-drained soil, so follow these steps:
- Dig a wide hole
- Spread a draining layer of gravel
- The soil must be fertilized and enriched
- You will also need plenty of water.
This plant is also ideal to grow in a pot of about 30 cm, use well-fed sand and water regularly. There are some infallible tricks to plant this plant and among them are the following:
- Soak the seed for 24 hours in a glass of warm water before sowing.
- Bury the seeds to just under three millimeters deep.
- Put them in places with warm temperatures
- Water moderately.
Lantana it is definitely drought resistant and in the first year of planting it needs very little water. When winter arrives and if you want to keep this plant, then it is necessary to store the pots in a clear greenhouse with temperatures between 10 to 15 ° C, you can gradually remove it as temperatures warm.
When and how to cut it?
It is necessary to provide some care, being able to start in the following order:
- Remove the withered flowers, during the summer, so that new ones can be born.
- Cut the ends with your fingers, during the spring to stimulate its growth
- Eliminate stems that may compromise your beauty
Pests
Lantana rarely gets sick, but inside the greenhouse it can become something sensitive to whiteflies that can affect the leaves of the lower part, so it is recommended to wash with soapy water. And if there are brown spots, these can be caused by red mites, the solution being to constantly burn, cut and spray water under the leaves and stems.
Particularly beautiful, with bright shades and hues, Lantana can flourish in different gardens, and due to its peculiar colors it gives the sensation of joy, in addition it gives a touch of elegance, decoration and they are even considered as exotic plants.
Due to its few requirements for its reproduction it is highly sought after, needs a temperate climate to flourish in large numbersResists drought as well as being beautiful and radiant to the eye.
In short, Lantana is one of the brightest flowers, with different shades, easy to plant, to care and undemanding in its own nature ideal to decorate any garden.