Samantha Lantana

Samantha Lantana (Lantana 'Samantha')

Samantha Lantana, Lantana 'Samantha', is a compact, sun loving selection prized for its unique variegated foliage and bright yellow flower clusters that bloom from late spring until frost. Each leaf is edged in creamy yellow around a deep green center, so even when the plant is not in full bloom it still reads as a lively mound of color. Rounded bouquets of golden flowers sit just above the foliage, attracting pollinators and adding a cheerful focal point in beds, borders, and containers. Strong heat and drought tolerance once established make Samantha a smart choice for tough, sunny spots where you want long lasting color and foliage interest with minimal care.

Distinctive Features

Samantha Lantana typically grows about 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, forming a compact, mounded to slightly trailing habit that stays tidy with limited pruning. The variegated leaves create a striking contrast of green centers and yellow margins, giving the plant a two toned look that brightens plantings even between waves of bloom. Flower clusters open in warm yellow to golden shades and keep appearing over fresh growth, so the plant maintains color throughout the warm season. In mild climates it may behave as a tender perennial, while in colder regions it is usually grown as a high performance annual chosen for its foliage and flower combination.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily for best flowering, strong variegation, and compact growth.
• Soil: Performs well in average, well drained soils and adapts to sandy or lean ground as long as excess water can drain away.
• Water: Water regularly after planting to establish; once rooted in, allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings, as plants are moderately drought tolerant.
• Hardiness: Commonly grown as an annual in cold climates and as a tender perennial in frost free or very mild regions where lantana is widely used.
• Size: Compact mounded to gently trailing habit usually 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide at maturity, depending on climate and site.
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast grower that fills in quickly as weather warms, making it ideal for strong seasonal impact.

Ideal Uses

• Colorful Focal Point: Plant near entries, along walks, or at the front of beds where its variegated foliage and golden blooms create a clear focal point in sunny spots.
• Containers and Patio Pots: Excellent as a standalone centerpiece or combined with trailing companions in porch, deck, and patio planters.
• Sunny Borders and Edging: Use along driveways, sidewalks, or the front edge of mixed borders to create a low band of foliage and flower color.
• Mixed Foliage Plantings: Pair with solid green, silver, or purple leaved plants to highlight the variegation and build layered texture in the garden.
• Pollinator Gardens: Well suited to butterfly and hummingbird plantings where nectar rich flowers attract frequent visitors.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, keeping soil lightly moist but never saturated; containers may need more frequent watering in hot, dry weather.
• Pruning: Deadheading is optional; trimming off spent clusters and lightly shearing once or twice in midsummer can refresh shape and encourage fresh waves of bloom.
• Fertilizing: In garden beds, mix a balanced, slow release fertilizer into the soil at planting; in containers, supplement with a water soluble fertilizer every few weeks to support continuous flowering and foliage quality.
• Mulching: Apply a light layer of mulch in beds to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch slightly away from the base of the stems.
• Seasonal Care: In cold regions, treat as an annual and replace after frost; in warm climates, lightly cut back and clean up plants in late winter to encourage fresh new growth.

Why Choose Samantha Lantana?

• Striking Variegated Foliage: Two toned leaves provide season long interest and brightness, even when flowers are between flushes.
• Cheerful Yellow Blooms: Golden flower clusters offer a warm, inviting look that reads clearly from a distance.
• Compact, Versatile Habit: Naturally tidy mound fits easily into beds, borders, and containers without constant pinching or shearing.
• Heat and Sun Tolerant: Performs reliably in hot, sunny conditions where more delicate annuals often fade.
• Pollinator Friendly: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, adding movement and life to sunny garden spaces while serving as a dependable focal point.

With its unique variegated foliage, bright yellow flower clusters, and strong tolerance for heat and sun, Samantha Lantana is a dependable choice for adding long lasting, low maintenance color and a distinctive focal point to sunny beds, borders, and containers.