Week of May 9, 2021

Perhaps the longest surviving planting since we acquired our Florida home is a patch of blue LANTANAS, planted next to the front walk. Lantanas are amazingly tolerant of heat and drought, and seem to survive freezing temperatures as well . One pleasing development has been the development of many more colors and varieties, such that we now have four lantana plantings. The blue lantanas need an occasional supplemental plant, but continue to welcome visitors to our front walk. We have planted a bright yellow variety at the base of the large Pindo Palm next to the lanai, but they would often not winter over. They have been replaced with some lovely pastel varieties with creamy white, rose, and yellow blossoms. The front bed near the fire hydrant has bold red and yellow blossoms and have survived winter frost as well as a burst pipe to the hydrant. They grow into a nice 2-3 foot high bush. The most recent addition is a variety which is native to Florida, with light yellow flowers and a low spreading growth. It is planted along the northern fence in full sun, without water from the irrigation system. So far, it has fared better than most plants tried there. Lantanas are not showy, but provide color and foliage through the hot Florida summer, as their contribution to the Florida Garden.