Gonzales Master Gardeners
  • Home
    • About Us
    • The Buzz
    • What is a Texas Master Gardener?
    • Join Us >
      • Requirements
      • Class Schedule
      • Application
    • Announcements (Calendar)
    • Donations
    • Links >
      • Texas AgriLife Extension Service
      • Gonzales ISD
      • Texas Tree Identification
      • PLANT Answers
  • Programs
    • Children's Programs >
      • Eggleston Children's Garden >
        • Eggleston Children's Garden-What's Happening
      • 2nd Grade-PINS
    • Adult Programs >
      • Public Education
      • Master Gardener Training
      • Community Projects
    • Past Projects >
      • The Corn Patch Program
      • The Gourd Program
      • Black Walnut
      • 2nd Grade-Parts of a Plant
  • Plants We Like
    • Earthkind Plants
    • Annuals We Like
    • Bulbs and Tubers We Like
    • Herbs We Like
    • Perennials We Like
    • Shrubs We Like
    • Succulents We Like
    • Fruit and Nut Trees We Like >
      • Recommended Fruit Varieties
      • Fruit
      • Citrus
      • Nuts
    • Trees We Like >
      • Getting Trees Ready for Spring
      • Ornamental
      • Shade
    • Vegetables We Like
    • Vines We Like
  • Recipes We Like
  • Fun Stuff
    • Garden Adventures
    • Neat Science
    • Fun With Kids
  • Plant Sales
  • Location Maps
  • Newsletters

Texas Lantana, Lantana

Lantana urticoides (L. horrida) 
​

Verbenaceae

A stalwart in Texas landscapes, Texas lantana grows in various types of soils throughout the state, most abundantly along the coast, and also in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Mexico. It is a low, spreading shrub with rough and aromatic leaves. It grows best in poor, sandy, gravelly soils in hot, dry areas, in full sun or light shade. In all but the very southern part of the state its branches die back in winter and emerge again in spring. Where it does not die back, its stems should be cut back after frost and periodically during the growing season, both to keep it compact and because it flowers on new wood. Lantana flowers profusely with the start of hot weather, in mid- to late summer, with small red, yellow and orange flowers clumped together in clusters. Although its leaves are poisonous to livestock and humans, its nectar is a favorite of butterflies, and many birds eat the fruit. Lantana is the choice for those sites in full sun that are neglected or too far from the hose. Once established, it takes virtually no care except trimming back, and flowers consistently from mid-summer on, always attracting butterflies.
 
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub to medium shrub
Exposure: sun to partial sun
Flower Color: yellow, orange, red
Blooming Period: summer through fall
Fruit Characteristics: black drupe with 2 nutlets
Height: 2 to 6 feet
Width: 2 to 6 feet
Plant Character: deciduous
Heat Tolerance: very high
Water Requirements: low
Soil Requirements: adaptable
​
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8