Sunday, November 25, 2007

Radiation

Lantana camara 'Radiation'
There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Lantana hybrids out there. Only a handful of those do well here in the Phoenix area. Of those, 'Radiation' is my favorite. It doesn't do well in summer, but come late September, it bursts out in blooms, along with the purple trailing variety, Lantana montevidensis ‘Imperial Purple’. These last until the first frost, then I cut them back to a stump. Come spring, they put on foliage and burst out in bloom again, only to fade in early summer. By then, the 'New Gold' hybrid is blooming in full force, providing color all summer.

It seems the most commonplace plants are the ones we depend on to keep a garden beautiful most months of the year. I guess that's why everyone uses them. Wow. That statement is a blinding flash of the obvious, but since I already typed it--I'm not going to delete it!


21 comments:

verobirdie said...

Funnily, I've had a look at my wrapped lantana this very morning. I'm not sure it will make it to spring... When I planted this one, I said I would give up if it would not survive the winter. But when I see your picture, I know I'll buy one for the summer. I like those colors too much...

Mark said...

Now that is one I have seen before, mainly in France and Spain but I have also seen them here.The buds are very distinctive and such vibrant flowers.

If i may sugest Dr Quincy ME for your cactus autopsy as he was always very good...

Cheers Mark

RUTH said...

Lantana are tender plants here but it doesn't stop me from growing them. The bees love them. I've never yet succeeded in overwintering them though...maybe this year :o)

kml said...

Beautiful colors!

Happy GTS!

Anonymous said...

Thats pretty flowers in a stone? Interesting!

Teri said...

Beautiful photo of those beautiful colors.

I am going to learn a lot visiting here!

this said...

What a pretty shot. I remember gathering handfuls of multicoloured lantana flowers that were growing wild for little boquets...it thrives very well here.
Thankyou for leaving the comment on my blog.

Mary said...

This is a beautiful plant. Thanks so much for sharing. Try starting your forget me nots from a plant instead of seeds. You might have more luck with it.

Mary

Anonymous said...

Hm. I didn't know there were so smany lantana hybrids - I'd only seen white, purple, yellow, and the multi-colored ones. These just glow!

Anonymous said...

very colorful.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tiny flowers. I've seen those flowers around, now I know its name.

Muum said...

Nice. It is interesting to see the plants that wake up and start blooming when the weather cools off.

My Chutney Garden said...

How interesting to learn how many lantana hybrids there are out there. "Radiation" is certainly beautiful. The pairing of the colour and textural contrasts between the flowers and the stones is just gorgeous.
Sharon from Trinidad

Anonymous said...

Such lovely colors. I love your blog. BTW, I have tagged you so expect some new visitors. Its about Seven Weird or Random facts about YOU. And you can read about it on my weblog The Seeded Earth. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

I think radiation is the lantana I just planted in my girlfriends garden. It is so bright and vibrant.
Happy GTS.

Mommy Lutchi said...

thanks for the info...love your flowers too. TC

Julie said...

My goodness, you have quite a following!!! I can't imagine why!!! LOL. These sure are gorgeous Lantana...never have seen them over here in Florida...maybe they like it REALLY hot , eh??? LOL. Well, I was tagged as a meme "victim" to list 8 happy things about myself...now I am tagging you!!! See my blog for details! Hope you can play along, although it does seem a bit of work for me, since I really don't know what I am doing with HTML!!!
Julie

kate said...

I love Lantana, although haven't had a stitch of luck in over-wintering it in my house. This is one hybrid I don't think I have seen. I love the colours - and I agree, it looks stunning with the rocks in the background!

Unknown said...

I LOVE Phoenix!! Wish I were there!

I have to grow Lantana as an annual here. I still always grab one or two just because they are sunny and bright.

I love the colors of this one!

Aiyana said...

Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate your visit to my desert garden.
Regarding the stone, the Lantana is used as a groundcover in my garden, and as with most desert landscaping, I have 1/2 minus screened granite as a groundcover. That's what is showing up in the photo.
Regarding the invitation to be a "victim" of the meme, I appreciate the thought, but I've already particpated. To see the Random Things About Me, look in the Labels portion of my blog under meme.

Anonymous said...

That is a fabulous, fabulous combination of colors -- lovely!