James H. Schutte
Family
Verbenaceae
Botanical Name
Lantana camara 'Samantha'
Plant Common Name
Lantana, Samantha Lantana
General Description
Golden clusters of flowers and dark green leaves with pale yellow-green variegation set showy Lantana 'Samantha' apart from others.
Lantana is an everblooming, evergreen tropical shrub that is grown as a warm season tender perennial in temperate zones. Originating from the tropical Americas, ‘Samantha’ has numerous rounded clusters of small, tubular flowers of golden yellow and pale yellow. It does not produce fruit. Its rough leaves are variegated and have an unpleasant smell when crushed.
This sunny tropical prefers full sun and evenly moist, well-drained, average soil. It is highly attractive to butterflies and looks best when planted in masses. The flowers offer continuous brilliant color to beds and containers all season long and may be trained into tree-like standards in tropical zones.
Lantana camara has been called one of the world’s worst weeds and is highly invasive in some locations. Samantha is a sterile cultivar which may be used in the landscape without escaping. For more information about the invasive nature of Lantana, see the report by the Global Invasive Species Database (http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?fr=1&si=56). Lantana is a weed only where hardy.
There are also potential health concerns regarding this plant. To learn more go to http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Lantaca.htm.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm
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Width
24"-36" / 61.0cm - 91.4cm
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
South America, Argentina, Brazil, Chile
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Light Yellow
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Dark Blue, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Yellow, Dark Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Yellow, Dark Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Dark Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Yellow, Dark Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Bark Color
Green, Tan
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes