Lantana camara ‘Carlos’ is a highly regarded cultivar celebrated for its compact, mounding growth habit and extended bloom season. It produces eye-catching flower clusters that transition in color from golden yellow to orange, and finally to a deep red or purple as they mature, creating a vibrant, multi-hued display. Once established, the plant exhibits high tolerance for intense heat and drought, making it a reliable addition to sun-drenched landscapes. Its dense floral production attracts numerous pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds.
Establishing Your Lantana ‘Carlos’
Lantana camara ‘Carlos’ requires a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sun exposure daily to achieve maximum flower production. Insufficient light results in sparse flowering and elongated, weak stems. The plant performs optimally in well-drained soil, which prevents water from collecting around the root zone. If the existing garden soil contains a high amount of clay, incorporate organic amendments like compost or coarse sand to improve drainage.
‘Carlos’ reaches a mature size between 12 and 30 inches in both height and width. When planting multiple specimens, space them approximately two to three feet apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth. This plant thrives as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11, where it is considered an evergreen shrub. In colder regions, ‘Carlos’ is grown as a vigorous, warm-season annual that blooms continuously until the first hard frost.
Routine Watering and Fertilization Schedules
Watering requirements shift once the plant is established in the landscape. During the initial period after planting, maintain consistent moisture to encourage a deep root system. Once settled, deep watering should only occur when the top two inches of soil have completely dried out. Container specimens require more frequent attention because the limited soil volume dries out faster than in-ground beds, often needing daily water during high heat.
Lantanas are not heavy feeders and require minimal supplemental nutrients. For in-ground plants, a single application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring is sufficient to sustain growth. Over-fertilizing, particularly with high-nitrogen formulas, encourages lush foliage at the expense of new flowers.
Container-grown ‘Carlos’ benefits from a liquid feed schedule because nutrients leach out rapidly with frequent watering. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 5-10-5, once every four weeks to support continuous blooming. This ensures the plant receives necessary nutrients for flower production without causing excessive vegetative growth.
Pruning, Deadheading, and Pest Management
Pruning Lantana camara ‘Carlos’ maintains its compact shape and encourages a higher density of blooms. The most significant pruning should occur in late winter or early spring before new seasonal growth begins. Perennial specimens can be cut back by up to one-third of their size to stimulate branching and renew the structure. Throughout the growing season, pinching the soft tips of the stems promotes bushier growth and increases bloom sites.
Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, supports the long-term flowering performance of ‘Carlos’. Faded flowers transition into dark berries or seed pods, which consume energy that could be directed toward new blossoms. Routinely removing these developing seeds encourages the plant to generate fresh flowers.
Lantana can be susceptible to common garden pests, especially during the hottest parts of the summer. The lantana lace bug is often observed, causing a mottled or yellowed appearance on the foliage as it feeds on the undersides of the leaves. Other sap-sucking insects, including whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites, may appear on stressed plants.
For mild infestations, a targeted spray of water can dislodge many pests. If the infestation persists, apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, following product instructions, for low-toxicity control. Promptly addressing pest issues prevents severe damage and ensures continuous bloom.