This lantana hadn't bloomed for me before. A piece had broken off from the bush above so I stuck it in the wall planter near my "just started" container gardens and it is blooming as well. That wall planter doesn't get much light, I have some Mexican petunias in it. I usually just stick whatever breaks off another plant in this wall planter and if it takes, I move it to another planter or container. (Parsley, savory and chervil just emerging) My newest basils- Black Opal, Genovese and Lemon)
Wow! Just look at all that stuff. You must be well-chuffed, TBL. Not only is the Lantana doing well, but also the herbs , etc. I'll bet that you are the wonder od the camp there. Well done, you!
What a good idea to have a planting area for the broken bits of other plants. I always seem to have a couple of filled buy unplanted pots sitting out back so I stick the bits in them.....then find the next day that the squirrels or our local oppossum has dug it up. I haven't had a Lantana in a couple of years but I really do want one out front next year, they remind me so much of summer when I was a child.
Lantana wound up being one of my secret weapons. I had had a problem with feral cats using my wall planters for their bathrooms. I checked with the local pet shelter and they said rabies wasn't a problem but they were so underfunded, they don't have traps and even if they did, they did not have room for a bunch of feral cats. I am allergic to cats and I wanted to use my planters for something other than a litterbox. I didn't want to harm the cats- I just wanted them to move on. Well after a lot of experimenting I found out that the cats do not like the lantana or the "hairier" types of oregano. They won't dig near them. (They also hated the bigger pieced mulch). So now every bed is mulched and has lantana or oregano in it. I even use the leaves that have fallen off the oregano plants that are not big enough to use to start a plant or healthy enough to eat- I just spread them out on top of the beds. I feel badly for the cats but I don't want them in my planters. Works for me, doesn't harm them.
I was wondering about the Lantana but after seeing yours I'm going to have to put that on my want list and check into it. Your herbs seem to be doing really well-good for you. Well done.
TBL, thanks for the info on Lantana keeping cats away. We have been having a problem with neighborhood cats coming into my yard to feast on the birds. I can think of several places around the fence that would be good for a Lantana or two or 10 !!
Your planter garden looks good. I'm so pleased that you found a harmless and pretty way to keep the cats off your planters, well done!
Toni I hate to bust your bubble but for some reason.I have lantanas and for some reason I have as high as 10 cats in my yard playing all around them.I had 3 big Lantanas .I now have 2 .Someone stole my deep orange and yellow one out of my yard while I was in the hospital.I can get another one from Earlene in the Spring but it was growing so big and pretty
Glendann, I am sorry that someone stole your lantana, that is terrible. I love the deep orange and yellow ones, they are like mini sunsets in your garden, aren't they? I honestly don't understand people. I have had people dig up plants in one place I lived and it really upset me. I would give anyone a cutting or some seeds if they asked! I hope you get a new one to replace your stolen one.
I guess a thief is a thief no matter what they steal but dig up my plant. yes they are so bright and cheerful and do look like mini sunsets.I would give anyone a cutting if they ask me.
