Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Groundcovers

Trailing Lantana, Lantana montevidensis

Trailing Lantana, Lantana montevidensis

Trailing Lantana	Lantana montevidensis
White Trailing Lantana	Gold Trailing Lantana

Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis, Verbena or Vervain Family: ( Verbenaceae ), Trailing Lantana. Also called: Lantana, Weeping Lantana, Trailing Lavender, Trailing Shrub Verbena, Purple Trailing Lantana. There are over 100 subspecies of Lantana. Trailing Lantana has become a most popular landscaping plant in Arizona. During cold weather Lantana will appear not to be growing but will come back in warm weather. In general all Lantana's are extremely easy to grow requiring little attention and they are seldom bothered by pests or disease. They has low water requirements and can be used in xeriscapes and can handle the heat growing in containers and hanging baskets under sunny conditions. Lantana is a favorite species for butterflies and non-invasive lantanas should be a part of any butterfly garden. However, it is considered among the world's worst 100 Invasive Species. It naturally occurs in agricultural areas, coastland, disturbed areas, natural forest, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones, scrub/shrublands, urban areas, wetlands It causes decreased productivity in pastures and it poisons cattle. It also invades disturbed natural ecosystems. However, it is an ideal Xeriscape Landscape Plant in Arizona. Height: Evergreen bush slowly growing to about 28 inches tall and 10 feet wide. Most from the nursary are about 8 inches to 10 inches in height. Flowers: The lavender, white, yellow, or gold small flowers are held in clusters (called umbels) that are typically 1 - 2 inches across.. Stalk: Woody when old, the sprawling stems are covered with rough hairs and emit an unpleasant aroma when crushed. Blooming Time: Early February - December. Leaves: Leaves are covered with rough hairs and emit an unpleasant aroma when crushed. They are simple, ovate or ovate-oblong, acute or subacute, crenate-serrate, rugose above, scabrid on both sides. Found: Found throughout lower elevations in Arizona. Native Argentina, South America. Elevation: 0 - 2500 Feet. Habitat: Well drained soil is preferred. Lantana is very drought resistant. This tropical plant is killed back to the ground at 28 ºF but will grow back from the roots when warm weather returns. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken February 23, 2006 and March 2, 2006. Arrowhead Ranch.