Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ is a vibrant flowering plant, appreciated for its striking blooms and resilient nature. This cultivar offers a burst of color, making it an appealing choice for various garden settings. It thrives in challenging conditions, adding eye-catching appeal to landscapes.
Distinctive Features
Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ showcases clusters of small, multi-colored flowers. Blooms emerge with shades of red and orange, often with yellow undertones, and deepen as they mature. This plant exhibits a compact, mounding growth habit, reaching 12 to 26 inches tall and spreading 12 to 36 inches. Its fuzzy, pointed green leaves provide a backdrop to the vibrant flowers.
Cultivation and Care
Light Requirements
Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering. Adequate light is essential for abundant blooms throughout the growing season. While it tolerates some partial shade, full sun promotes the most vigorous growth and prolific flowering.
Soil Preferences
This lantana cultivar prefers well-draining soil but adapts to various conditions. It performs best in a soil pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0). The plant tolerates less than ideal soils and environmental salt. Avoid locations where water stands, as it does not tolerate consistently wet roots.
Watering Needs
During its establishment phase, ‘Bandana Red’ requires regular watering to help its root system develop. Once established, it becomes highly drought-tolerant, needing less frequent watering. Deep, infrequent watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly between applications, is beneficial. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to issues for the plant.
Fertilization Tips
Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ does not require extensive fertilization, especially when planted directly in the ground. A spring application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer is sufficient to support its growth and flowering. Excessive fertilization can reduce blooms. For container plants, a midsummer fertilization helps maintain continuous flowering.
Pruning for Health and Shape
Pruning helps maintain the plant’s shape and promotes continuous flowering. Deadheading, removing spent blooms, encourages more flowers throughout the season. In perennial regions, pruning back about one-third of the plant in early spring after the last frost encourages new growth and a fuller habit. It can also be trimmed to shape the plant or promote branching.
Garden and Landscape Uses
Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ is a versatile plant for various landscape applications. Its compact size and mounding habit make it an excellent choice for container plantings, including pots and hanging baskets. It also functions well as a ground cover, in mixed borders, or as an accent plant. This plant attracts pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens.
Essential Considerations
Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ is hardy in USDA zones 8-11, where it grows as a tender perennial or evergreen shrub. In colder climates, it is treated as an annual, as it cannot tolerate temperatures below 40°F or prolonged frost. Common pests like whiteflies and spider mites may affect the plant, particularly in dry conditions. Lantana leaves are toxic if ingested, posing a risk to pets and children; exercise caution when planting in accessible areas.