When buying plants for a balcony or terrace, it is worth paying attention (which will not be difficult!) To the plant decorated with multicolored small flowers gathered in spherical inflorescences. Growing the Lantana camara hybrid and watching its flowers unfold is a lot of fun.The appearance of the inflorescences of a potted bush may come as a surprise every day, as the colors of individual tubular flowers are constantly changing.
Flower buds always open gradually from the edge of the inflorescence towards its interior. So, for example, the last buds developing in the middle are yellow, while the oldest in the periphery have already turned from yellow to dark orange. There are also varieties whose flowers change color only slightly and actually look single-colored.
Hybrid lantana comes from the American tropics. That is why it can shine with all its beauty only in fully sunlit place.
Lantana has shown its viability in warm and humid regions of South Africa and Australia. After its introduction, it spread easily and quickly in meadows and forests.Soon it was recognized as an invasive plant that threatens local species.There is no such danger in our climate. So we can enjoy the beauty of this extraordinary shrub without fear.
Lovers of heat and sun
Lantanas are easy to care for. The most important thing for them is warmth and sun. As they hate frost, it is best to plant them in pots.The containers should be large enough to avoid replanting in the summer season. Exotic shrubs will flourish if given plenty of nutrients. They should be fed with liquid fertilizer once a week.
If you choose a long-acting fertilizer, mix the appropriate dose with the soil in the pot at the beginning of the season. In summer, we regularly remove faded inflorescences, which promotes the formation of new buds.Lanthanas winter best in a light and airy place with a temperature of approx. 10 ° C. The soil should not dry out.In March and April, cut the shoots 10-15 cm long. You can also replant the plants in spring.
New plants from shoot cuttings
Lanthanum can be propagated easily and with good results by rooting shoot cuttings. We obtain them by cutting the top sections of the shoots about 10 cm long. We cut them off just below the leaf node and remove the lower leaves. In order for the seedling to take root as quickly as possible, it is worth immersing the cut in a rooting agent. The plant is placed in a small pot filled with soil for propagation and lightly watered.The container with the seedling is covered with a bag made of transparent foil, which will maintain high air humidity. When the plant has taken root and sprouts new shoots, we transplant it into a larger pot. Pinching the tops favors the branching of the shoots.
Selected varieties of lantana
- The cultivar 'Pink' from the Bandana group branches out very well, has a compact habit and dark green leaves. The two-colored inflorescences of the varieties from this group are quite large.
- 'Gold' from the Calippo series shines with single-colored yellow inflorescences and stands out with straight, dense stems.
- Esperanta 'Pink' is decorated with pink and yellow inflorescences. The cultivars of the Esperanta series are characterized by long flowering and low seed formation.
- Tropic Lantanas 'Tukan' draws attention with white and yellow flowers. Tropic plants bloom early.
- Esperanta 'Compact Red' is a new variety with red-yellow inflorescences and a compact habit.
- Esperanta 'Lemon' shines with bright yellow flowers at the beginning of the season.
- Calippo 'Tutti Frutti' develops flowers shimmering in shades of orange, yellow, purple and pink. 8. Lantropics 'Yellow Cream' is a new variety with nice, wide leaves and yellow flowers.
- Tropic Lantanas 'Flamingo' blooms early. Pink and yellow inflorescences create an aura of tropical summer on the terrace.
