Lantana is a colorful and resilient garden shrub, popular for its ability to thrive in hot, sunny conditions. This plant produces clusters of small flowers that bloom consistently over a long season, providing vibrant color to landscapes. Many gardeners seek to attract the tiny, fast-moving hummingbird. The question is whether this common shrub can serve as an effective food source for these unique birds.
The Direct Answer Lantana’s Appeal
Lantana is an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds to the garden. These birds are drawn to the plant because of its floral structure and the consistency of the food supply it offers. Lantana flowers are arranged in dense, dome-shaped clusters, but each individual bloom is small and distinctly tubular. This shape is perfectly suited to a hummingbird’s long, slender bill, allowing direct access to the nectar stored within. The plant is a prolific bloomer, providing a continuous supply of this sugary liquid from spring until the first frost. This prolonged availability makes lantana a reliable energy source for migrating and resident hummingbirds.
Specific Preferences and Varieties
Hummingbirds are attracted to lantana, but their preferences are guided by specific plant characteristics, most notably flower color. The birds show a strong preference for the warmer end of the color spectrum, making red, orange, and deep pink varieties the most successful attractants. Flowers in white or pale yellow hues are less appealing, as they do not provide the same visual cue.
Nectar Potential and Cultivars
The genetic makeup of the cultivar also influences its nectar potential. Older, more vigorous varieties are known to produce high volumes of nectar compared to newer, more compact dwarf selections. The distinction between fertile and sterile varieties impacts the duration of the nectar flow. Sterile hybrids do not set seeds, which allows the plant to put more energy into producing flowers and nectar over a longer period. Fertile varieties produce berries, which may signal the reproductive cycle is complete, potentially reducing bloom time and nectar concentration. Gardeners should prioritize vibrant, warm-colored, sterile cultivars for the most consistent results.
Maximizing Attraction in the Garden
Successful cultivation depends on providing conditions that encourage heavy, consistent flowering. Lantana performs best when planted in a location that receives a minimum of six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. Full sun exposure maximizes the plant’s ability to produce the sugars required for nectar generation.
The shrub is highly adapted to heat and drought, requiring well-draining soil and minimal watering once established. Overly frequent watering or generous application of high-nitrogen fertilizer can cause the plant to prioritize leaf growth over flower production, decreasing the available nectar. A lean environment encourages a greater display of the nectar-rich blooms.
While sterile varieties require little maintenance, pruning or deadheading fertile plants significantly prolongs the blooming period. Removing spent flower heads prevents the plant from setting seed and signals it to produce new flowers. Planting lantana near other known hummingbird favorites, such as salvia or cuphea, increases the overall floral visibility, creating a dense, irresistible feeding zone.