Lantana Springs to Life | A Pollinator Favorite

Lanatana is a pollinator favorite. It attracts bees and butterflies for the entire growing season. This past winter I put my Lantana tree in the heated garage since it is an annual in zone 6b, Central Illinois. According to Better Homes and Gardens, “If you have a hot, baked spot, lantana is your answer. This hardworking plant not only thrives with little moisture and in full, unyielding sun, it does so with ease. In fact, lantana is a flower that seems to have it all: It produces an abundance of brightly colored flowers all summer and fall, and it's a magnet for butterflies (hummingbirds like it, too). It's easy to grow and a great choice for containers. Plus, if you have a sunny spot indoors, you can grow it as a charming indoor plant. In frost-free climates (Zones 9-11), it's a great perennial groundcover, as well.” Since the winter was so severe even in my heated garage here’s what my Lantana tree (which was fairly expensive) looked like until yesterday after spending the winter in a heated garage. I was just about to give up on it. After a couple days of warm weather here’s the new growth coming back so I encourage you to keep an eye on plants that you think may be ‘dead’ for signs of life after this exceptionally harsh long winter.
Lantana Attracts Butterflies
Lantana is a butterfly magnet
Lantana Attracts Bees
Lantana Is a Haven for All Pollinators
Whether in the ground or containers butterflies flutter to lantana all season long
Butterflies Flutter Among Lantana All Season
Lantana comes in a variety of colors, but I love yellow.
Lantana New Growth Yesterday
This is what the new growth looks like on the lantana wood as of yesterday in zone 6b.
Lantana Tree Sprouting New Growth
Lantana attarcts Moths as well
Lantana new growth sprouting all over the dead looking tree. Don't give up hope yet on your lantana! A lantana tree makes a great gift!
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  • Linda Barber Linda Barber on Oct 04, 2014
    I have planted Lantana for several years. Those planted in the ground we cut back and cover with mulch. The ones in pots we do the same but put more mulch around them. Most come back every year after we remove the mulch and water and fertilize with Miracle Grow. The butterflies and hummers do like it!
  • Pgl Pgl on Jul 22, 2015
    PLease be careful Lantana is gorgeous but also toxic. According to Oregon State it is deadly if ingestion is not treated. I grow Lantana too and enjoy it, I also check any plant I wish to grow on the poison list so I am aware of any possibilities.
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