Honeylove Lantana

Honeylove Lantana (Lantana camara 'Honeylove')

Honeylove Lantana, Lantana camara 'Honeylove', is a compact, sun loving bloomer that covers itself in clusters of soft honey yellow and cream flowers from late spring until frost. Rounded bouquets of blooms sit just above deep green foliage, creating a warm, inviting dome of color that works as easily in beds and borders as it does in containers. Strong heat and drought tolerance once established make Honeylove a reliable choice for tough, sunny spots where you want long lasting color and an easy, low maintenance focal point.

Distinctive Features

Honeylove Lantana typically grows about 18 to 24 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, forming a compact, upright mounded habit that stays neat without constant pinching. Medium textured foliage creates a full, rounded outline that looks substantial even between flushes of bloom. Flower clusters open in soft golden, cream, and pale pastel tones, often shifting color slightly as they age so each plant shows subtle blends of warm hues at any given time. In warm climates it behaves as a tender perennial; in cooler regions it is usually grown as a high performance annual chosen for its steady flowering and tidy form.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily for the best flowering, compact growth, and rich color.
• 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 regions where lantana is widely used.
• Size: Compact, mounded habit usually 18 to 24 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 soft honey toned blooms and tidy mound create a welcoming focal point in sunny spots.
• Containers and Patio Pots: Excellent as a standalone centerpiece in pots or combined with trailing companions on porches, patios, and decks.
• Sunny Borders and Edging: Use along driveways, sidewalks, or the front edge of mixed borders to create a warm band of continuous summer color.
• Pollinator Gardens: Well suited to butterfly and hummingbird plantings where nectar rich flowers invite frequent visits.
• Hot, Dry Locations: A smart option for exposed, heat reflective areas where many other annuals struggle, provided drainage is good.

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 flower clusters and lightly shearing once or twice in midsummer can refresh shape and encourage fresh blooms.
• 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.
• Mulching: Apply a light layer of mulch in garden 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 Honeylove Lantana?

• Soft, Warm Color Palette: Honey toned blooms provide a gentle, welcoming look that pairs well with pastels and bold summer shades alike.
• Compact, Mounded Habit: Naturally tidy shape fits easily into beds, borders, and containers without constant pinching or shearing.
• Heat and Drought Tolerant: Performs reliably in hot, sunny conditions where more delicate annuals fade.
• Pollinator Friendly: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, adding movement and life to sunny garden spaces.
• Versatile Design Use: Works in containers, mixed borders, mass plantings, and pollinator gardens wherever you need a reliable, sun loving bloomer with a soft, honey colored look.

With its compact mound, gentle honey toned flower clusters, and strong tolerance for heat and sun, Honeylove Lantana is a dependable choice for adding long lasting, low maintenance color to sunny beds, borders, and containers.