www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Has anyone grown Lantana as a nectar source for butterflies? How does it compare to buddleia and the like?

I have only ever seen Lantana grown in a conservatory in this country. With it being a tropical perennial I am not sure how well it would grow outside in the UK unless it was treated as a half-hardy annual, given a very sheltered spot and put out after all risk of frost had passed.

In Africa I have seen so many butterflies flocking to the nectar of Lantana - as our UK climate warms up it sounds like a good plant to try. I wonder how large the plant would grow outside?

Are you going to experiment with it?

Polly

Polly,
I have Lantana at my house in Spain...it can grow VERY big!

Martin.

PS - In Spain Lantana, in particular, is loved by Painted Lady.

I have seen it at the garden centre with the other bedding plants and recognised the flowers from the tropical butterfly house that used to be at Syon. I will get some and see how it goes this summer.

I saw it as a bedding plant in Toronto... absolutely plastered in nymphalids!

Is any particular colour prefered?
I'm thinking of trying it too.
Denise

I know these well from holidays in Spain and Greece. The yellow/pink variety attracted lots of insects including butterflies.

Yep...I'd agree the pink with yellow center is the one to go for.

Martin.

Thanks Guys.
I have my eye on one that matches that description.
Cheers, Denise

I got two each of four different types; a red (Lantana camara kolibri), an orange (Lantana camara orange king), a orange/yellow/pink combination (Lantana camara ingelsheim) and a rose-pink (Lantana camara sonja). I've put them together in a large container on the patio (south facing so it gets hot there when the sun shines). I will let you know how they get on.

I have now planted my Lantana in a tub and put it near my garden bench, which is the sunniest spot in the garden. It smells like tomatoe plants.
Will keep you posted on butterflies that visit.
Cheers

Denise

Ok, I think that I will give them a try too!!!

From where did you buy yours Susie?

Polly

I got them here, Polly.


http://www.newbridgenurseries.co.uk/index.html

Thanks Susie
I know where it is and will get there this coming weekend.
Polly

Hi Rosy
Lantana is a good nector plant, I grow it every year and use it in the greenhouse, in warm summers it will grow outside but the leaves "blue up* with the cold, they need frost protection for the winter, so a cold greenhouse is fine, and it's a good idea to take cuttings every year and they can get very woody with time, the heliconids love them
good luck with your plants

Found some of the Lantana lovers from Toronto! Hope you attract something similar

Meant to put these up days ago...







Martin.

Wow, amazing pics! If only ....

Thanks for the advice, Brian.

Happy shopping, Polly.

I try and keep as many lantanas as i can in the large polytunnel that is used for the exotics in the summer.They absolutely love them!.We have taken specimen pots of mixed colours home and stood them on the patio from early june after there is no frost risk,it is a half hardy plant as has already been mentioned.Unfortunately i have never seen a native butterfly on them.This may be due to the position of the pots i will try some different spots in the garden this year.

Let us know how you get on, Champ.