Lantana

The genus Lantana includes more than 150 species of evergreen shrubs, of which only two are grown for decorative purposes. They have opposite hard leaves, pubescent, sometimes prickly shoots. Flowers are small, fragrant, collected in umbrellas or dense apical or axillary shield. The calyx is small, the corolla is tubular, and the perianth is divided slightly unevenly into lobes. The fruit is fleshy, with 2 seeds in the pulp. The most common type is Lantana camara (Lantana camara) with spiny stems and dark green oval or heart-shaped leaves on long petioles, toothed along the edge. On the upper side they are rough, on the lower side they are pubescent, with an unpleasant smell. Flowers collected in axillary corymbose inflorescences, tubular, gradually changing color from yellow or pink to red or orange. In a certain period of time, the inflorescence is colored in all colors at once. It blooms from May to August. Of the varieties, the most spectacular are 'Cloud of Gold' with yellow flowers of intense color; 'Pink queen' with salmon-yellow buds and then pink flowers; 'Snow queen ' and 'Snowy' with white flowers; 'Spreading sunset' - a creeping form with flowers colored in tones from yellow to reddish. Lantana selloviana (L. selloviana, or L. montevidensis) is a climbing species with egg-shaped leaves covered with delicate pubescence, toothed along the edge. The flowers are tiny tubular lilac-pink with a yellow core, collected in compact spherical inflorescences; they bloom for a long time - from June to October-November.

The genus Lantana includes more than 150 species of evergreen shrubs, of which only two are grown for decorative purposes. They have opposite hard leaves, pubescent, sometimes prickly shoots. Flowers are small, fragrant, collected in umbrellas or dense apical or axillary shield. The calyx is small, the corolla is tubular, and the perianth is divided slightly unevenly into lobes. The fruit is fleshy, with 2 seeds in the pulp.

The most common type is Lantana camara (Lantana camara) with spiny stems and dark green oval or heart-shaped leaves on long petioles, toothed along the edge. On the upper side they are rough, on the lower side they are pubescent, with an unpleasant smell. Flowers collected in axillary corymbose inflorescences, tubular, gradually changing color from yellow or pink to red or orange. In a certain period of time, the inflorescence is colored in all colors at once. It blooms from May to August. Of the varieties, the most spectacular are 'Cloud of Gold' with yellow flowers of intense color; 'Pink queen' with salmon-yellow buds and then pink flowers; 'Snow queen ' and 'Snowy' with white flowers; 'Spreading sunset' - a creeping form with flowers colored in tones from yellow to reddish.

Lantana selloviana (L. selloviana, or L. montevidensis) is a climbing species with egg-shaped leaves covered with delicate pubescence, toothed along the edge. The flowers are tiny tubular lilac-pink with a yellow core, collected in compact spherical inflorescences; they bloom for a long time - from June to October-November.

Cultivation

Lantana species are grown in the open ground as a beautiful flowering shrub only in southern regions; in temperate climates, plants are cultivated in pots, exposed to the air in May and removed indoors in early autumn. Lantanas have recently been used as annuals in flower beds, borders and flower beds. Lantana selloviana is very good as a groundcover plant. Open ground plants are planted in a permanent place in the garden in May. They do not have any special requirements for the soil. For container culture, choose a roomy container (the minimum pot diameter is 20 cm). They use universal soil and apply a complex fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of substrate. In spring and summer, once a month, a liquid complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation (10 ml per bucket of water). Inflorescences usually appear on the shoots of the current year, so in February they shorten last year's branches, remove damaged, dry or ugly growing ones. Potted specimens require stronger pruning.

Location

In the open ground, lantanas require a place in the open sun. Indoors, they need plenty of ambient light and good ventilation.

Temperature

In areas with harsh winters, plants are sheltered in the fall. Open shoots freeze out, but often in the spring growth resumes from the roots. Potted plants in winter are kept at a temperature of about 7 °C, then in early spring it is gradually raised to 10-13 °C. But the high summer temperature with high humidity lanthanum does not tolerate.

Watering

In spring and summer, plants should be watered abundantly, primarily container specimens.

Transplant

Potted plants are transplanted into a new container every year in March, and when growing in flower beds, you can limit yourself to replacing the surface layer of the earth with a fresh one.

Reproduction

The most common method is using seeds. Sowing - in February, in the seed soil; until the emergence of seedlings, they can withstand a temperature of 16 °C. Later, the seedlings are dived into cups, and then transplanted into larger containers. Plants intended for growing in the open ground are planted in a permanent place for the next year. Cuttings are also used. In August, take semi-woody cuttings of the current year ("with a heel") about 10 cm long and root in a mixture of peat and sand in equal parts at a temperature of 16-18 °C. After the roots are formed, the seedlings are planted in separate pots.

The most common method is using seeds. Sowing - in February, in the seed soil; until the emergence of seedlings, they can withstand a temperature of 16 °C. Later, the seedlings are dived into cups, and then transplanted into larger containers. Plants intended for growing in the open ground are planted in a permanent place for the next year. Cuttings are also used. In August, take semi-woody cuttings of the current year ("with a heel") about 10 cm long and root in a mixture of peat and sand in equal parts at a temperature of 16-18 °C.

After the roots are formed, the seedlings are planted in separate pots.

Diseases

Species and varieties of lantana are susceptible to some fungal diseases, as a result of which spotting, rust, and leaves fade. But these diseases are mostly local, and chemical treatment is not required. On potted specimens, aphids and mealybug are not uncommon, against which plants are treated with appropriate preparations. The greatest harm is caused by whiteflies that suck juice from the leaves. In this case, the plant is consistently treated with a suitable insecticide at short intervals (every 2-3 days for 1-2 weeks).

Species and varieties of lantana are susceptible to some fungal diseases, as a result of which spotting, rust, and leaves fade. But these diseases are mostly local, and chemical treatment is not required.

On potted specimens, aphids and mealybug are not uncommon, against which plants are treated with appropriate preparations.

The greatest harm is caused by whiteflies that suck juice from the leaves. In this case, the plant is consistently treated with a suitable insecticide at short intervals (every 2-3 days for 1-2 weeks).

Acquisition

Lanthanum seedlings are purchased in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries. The best time is the end of spring, so that you can immediately plant in the garden.