GARDEN: Lantanas My Love....

Yes, I've always loved these flowers (a member of the Verbena family) ...Nothing beats lantana for nonstop color throughout the growing season. The cheerful flower clusters—in a rainbow of single and multi-hues—bloom nonstop from late spring through frost, and nearly year-round in warmer climates. Known for its carefree nature, lantana is grown as an annual in northern regions, and a broadleaf evergreen shrub or ground cover in frost-free climates. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and insect pollinators. A member of the verbena family, it is native to tropical regions of the Americas and South Africa. Though there are 150 different species, those most widely available to home gardeners are Lantana camara and modern hybrids. Also known as Spanish flag, lantana thrives in hot, dry weather and is tolerant of salt and sandy soil, making it a popular choice for seaside landscapes. These same attributes are what allow it to become invasive in some areas