Sonset and Evita lantanas feature riveting color
If you want a long summer of color and have flowers packed with butterflies too then put the lantana high on your list. Here at the National Butterfly Center butterflies seem to always be having a feast on lantanas and in our area they are almost always blooming. Just about everyone in the country has a season where this plant will simply sizzle in the garden.</p><p> In Texas there are several native species and we certainly have an abundance of those in the garden. But we are also trying out some other notable varieties, a colorful large selection called Sonset and a compact yellow one called Evita. Both have of some winning traits besides color and attracting butterflies.</p><p> The biggest trait is almost no seeds. These lantanas will grow in size and bloom but they are going to become pest from unwanted seedlings or spread. Sonset is an award winning lantana that was discovered in Clinton, Miss., and it may be the most beautiful lantana in existence. The rich, vibrant flower's colors change so fast you can almost see it with the naked eye.</p><p> Sonset starts off yellow and is followed by orange changing to red, then magenta and purple. You will even find tiny petals with more than one color. The flowers are amazing: You can look at them at 8 a.m., and they will be a different color two hours later. They provide a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colors throughout the day. The plants are vigorous, but at just the right pace. The colors are brilliant.</p><p> Sonset is a non-stop bloomer reaching 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 or 4 feet wide. In side by side comparisons the ruby-throated hummingbirds seemed prefer this lantana. Maybe it is the color, the size of the flower or a special, tasty nectar. </p><p> Evita is newer and is actually a series of six colors. These are all compact plants allowing for you to attract butterflies to the porch or patio with ease. At the National Butterfly Center we have Evita Bright Yellow but you'll also want to look for Pale Yellow, Rose and Yellow, White and Yellow, Red and Yellow, and Pink and Yellow. These are really starting to gain recognition in trial gardens.</p><p> These lantanas have ability to withstand summer's torrid heat and a wide variety of soil conditions. As I mentioned above everyone can grow them as annuals and they are a terrific value for the garden dollar. If you have visions of them returning in the spring two of the keys here are good winter drainage and mulch. Soggy winter soil will probably prove fatal. I have watched gardeners in zone 7 simply cover theirs with a good layer of pine straw and see them return every year.</p><p> Remember that sunlight is a key ingredient for the best blooming to occur. After working 3 to 4 inches of organic matter into the bed, space lantanas about 2 feet apart for the Evita and 3 to 4 feet apart for the Sonset. Throughout the season, don't be afraid to prune a little to maintain size and to stimulate new growth and more blooms. Fertilizing is no big deal with lantanas, but they do respond to a light application as a little pick-me-up in midsummer.</p><p> There is a long growing season ahead and lantanas like the Sonset and Evita are the perfect choices for color and butterflies.</p><p> ABOUT THE WRITER</p><p> Norman Winter is executive director of The National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, and author of "Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South" and "Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden." Contact him at: winter@naba.org</p><p> 2012 Norman Winter.