Colorful Desert Plants

Great Looking colorful desert plants.

Some of the most colorful looking perennial or annual plants in the southwest are Lantana Pants. There are over 1500 types of Lantana. The most common is the camara or the montevidensis, and there are hundreds of hybrids.

The most hardiest in the southwest is the trailing gold Lantana. It will bloom all summer long and tolerates extreme heat...matter of fact is loves the hot sun even reflective sun from walls and cement driveways. It can spread to about 4ft. wide and about 1ft. tall. Excellent as a groundcover or stand alone plant.

The "Dallas Red" is another great looking plant that blooms a dark red color all summer. It does grow to about 3ft. tall and 5ft. wide and not quite a hardy as the trailing yellow lantana. Can easily be used in a container for decorative front entrance plant.

Radiation Bush Lantana is another bright colorful plant that is well suited for the desert southwest. They have profuse color year round from rich orange-red flowers! Useful as Excellent low hedge or accent shrub. It also attracts butterflies. Tolerates heat. Full sun. Moderate grower to 4 to 6 feet tall and wide.


Things to remember about desert lantana plants. If you live in an area that gets temperatures below 32degrees F. you will need to trim them down at ground level and cover them with mulch. Be sure to water about once or twice per month during the winter season. It is best to use lantana in containers and bring them indoors if you live in areas that get temperatures in the teens or below. Lantana plants are very hardy once established. Water almost daily when first planted. Once established they require only moderate to low water. Fertilize with a high level of phosphorus only if blooms do not show up during the summer months.





Paul Guzman