Trailing lavender lantanas, also known as Lantana montevidensis, are delightful plants that can add beauty to any garden or landscape. These plants are particularly well-suited for frost-free areas, where they can thrive and reach their full potential.
In terms of their size, trailing lavender lantanas typically grow as low, trailing, woody shrubs that reach a height of only 12-20 inches. However, what makes them truly unique is their ability to spread and vine-like stems that can reach a width of 5 feet or even more. This impressive spreading habit makes them an excellent choice for use as a ground cover, as they can quickly fill in large areas with their lush green foliage.
When it comes to the leaves of trailing lavender lantanas, they are opposite in arrangement and have a dark green color. These leaves are ovate in shape, meaning they are wider at the base and taper to a point at the tip. However, it is important to note that the leaves of this plant have a rather unpleasant aroma when bruised, so it’s best to avoid crushing them if possible.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the leaves of trailing lavender lantanas can be a skin irritant for some people. Therefore, it’s important to handle them with care and avoid direct contact with the foliage if you have sensitive skin. Wearing gloves while working with these plants can be a good precautionary measure to protect yourself.
Now, let’s talk about the growth habit of trailing lavender lantanas in more detail. As mentioned earlier, they have a trailing growth habit, which means they tend to spread and cascade along the ground rather than growing upright like many other shrubs. This trailing habit gives them a graceful and flowing appearance, making them an excellent choice for hanging baskets or containers where their stems can gracefully drape over the sides.
In terms of their overall size, trailing lavender lantanas can be quite expansive. With their vine-like stems, they can easily spread to a width of 5 feet or even more. This makes them an ideal choice for filling in large areas or creating a dense ground cover that suppresses weeds and adds visual interest.
In my personal experience with trailing lavender lantanas, I have found them to be incredibly versatile and easy to grow. They are resilient plants that can tolerate a range of soil conditions and are relatively drought-tolerant once established. However, they do appreciate regular watering, especially during hot and dry periods, to keep their foliage lush and vibrant.
To summarize, trailing lavender lantanas are low, trailing, woody shrubs that typically reach a height of 12-20 inches but can spread by vine-like stems to a width of 5 feet or more. They are commonly grown as a dense ground cover and feature hairy, opposite, coarsely-toothed, ovate, dark green leaves with an unpleasant aroma when bruised. These leaves can be a skin irritant for some individuals. Overall, trailing lavender lantanas are a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape, providing a lush and vibrant display of color and texture.
