I am continuously learning about what is in my landscape. When I purchased my home last April all the shrubs against the house were cut to about 6 inches above the ground and then covered with pine straw. This year those shrubs revealed themselves to be azaleas.
Late fall I discovered a lantana bush growing near the back fence next to what might have been some type of circuit. A few weeks ago the lantana began blooming. However, the leaves were large and the blooms were multicolored. Then something began to happen. I noticed the same plant blooming on the outside of my fence, and other’s fences on my block.
It is not a ‘Miss Huff’ lantana. Several people have ruled that out because the blooms are pink and white not orange- red in color. After some careful research I have learned that what I have is a Lantana camara. Further research revealed that this plant is considered an invasive in other parts of the world and some states in America.
“Lantana camara is native to the West Indies but can now be found throughout Florida as well as in Georgia and Texas It is a perennial shrub growing to 6 feet or more in height. Right now mine is about 2 feet tall. The leaves are serrated and about 2 inches wide, oval in shape, and opposite on the stem. They are much larger than the leaves of cultivated lantanas. Flowers of Lantana camara are multicolored at the tip of stems. They change color over time from white to pink or lavender, or yellow to orange or red. Typically, the more mature flowers are darker in color (lavender and red) and the berries are spread by animals. Mature seeds are black in color.
I will definitely spend the next few months observing this plant and certainly looking for seeds. I may have to remove the seeds because I have several bird feeders in the area.
‘Miss Huff’ Lantana
Lantana camara Photo credit: James Morgan
Blooms of Lantana camara