For all you gardeners (Lantana: trains, eat, designs)

[raf215]

My question is about Lantana. Is it consider an annual, perennial or shrub? The reason for asking is that years ago there used to be a guy on HGTV that did designs in this area and he always used them. When my finace and I moved here a couple of years ago and were looking for a house, it seemed that all the builder's models had lantana in the yards but whenever we're driving around we very rarely see them in yards. So back to my question - annual, perennial or shrub? Just curious.
BTW, we recently did a planter with Lantana and Iris . . . had to try them out

[BlueWillowPlate]

There are other, more knowledgeable gardeners on this forum (Hi Karla!) but I know enough to tell you that lantana is a perennial.
There are, however, many different varieties. Sometimes it does seem like a shrub.
At my job, there is a little courtyard spot where they let the lantana go, and it is literally taller than I am.

[FLPL75]

lol Hi BWP
lantana is a perennial
The "problem" is it can become quite leggy
There is a somewhat new "mounding" gold lantana that is suppose to keep its shape

In a planter you will have more control over the size

You can also go in and divide the Iris this will also multiply.

There are many different colors you can get
here are some pictures
lantana - Google Images

[riveree]

It's a weed .

The new lantanas are very nice and fairly well-behaved (great colors too!). I treat the new ones as a ground cover and just weedwack them back in line when they get rowdy.

But if you happen upon an older strain, they can pop up all over the place ! I guess the birds drop the seeds around and before you know it, you can have a fairly big lantana shrub growing where it planted itself .

The lavender and white lantana are my favorites. From the older strains, I like the pink/yellow color mix one.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by riveree

The lavender and white lantana are my favorites. From the older strains, I like the pink/yellow color mix one.

My opinion exactly.
We have the lavender growing here, and one shrub of the white.
My neighbor has a pretty *pale* yellow.

[Keith-n-Jax]

Birds also eat the berries of lantana, especially mockingbirds whichs in turn you will have new lanatanas popping up in places you may not want them. I like the red/yellow flower ones.