Planting Trailing Lantana
Trailing lantana, or Lantana sellowiana, is one of the most popular varietals of trailing groundcover. With a profusion of gorgeous blossoms ranging in color from lavender to gold to white to purple, the more than 100 varietals of trailing lantana have endeared themselves to gardeners and landscape designers throughout USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. While trailing lantana's fast growth habit has earned it the unenviable distinction of being named one of the world's 100 most invasive species, with a bit of attention to regular routine maintenance, trailing lantana can be easily controlled, and its effortless natural blooming beauty makes the extra work well worth the effort. Learn more about planting trailing lantana and decide whether this delightful groundcover is the right choice for your home garden or landscape setting.
Preparing to Plant Trailing Lantana
Trailing lantana is a tropical evergreen plant that prefers full sun growing conditions. It does not respond well to frost and should not be planted until the last frost of winter has passed. Once planted, it will grow and spread fast, eventually reaching one foot in height and three to six feet in width. Due to its spreading nature, plenty of space should be allowed for trailing lantana, or it can also be grown in containers to help control growth.
Planting Trailing Lantana
Trailing lantana will not need a lot of moisture once installed, but will need excellent drainage as roots are sensitive to standing water. Trailing lantana will begin to bloom in early February in most regions and will continue blooming nearly continuously throughout the year until temperatures drop into the 20's in December. Trailing lantana can attract butterflies, bees, and birds, so care should be taken to plant in an area where these visitors will be welcome. Trailing lantana will need little other maintenance to grow and thrive.
