23 thoughts on “Luscious Lantana”

1. I don’t think I knew it was toxic to dogs! It sure is pretty, though.

   • I was kicking myself when I found out it was toxic, but that wasn’t really necessary. The Monk has NO attraction to it at all! (Unlike the butterflies!)

2. Debbie, I always learn something when you post about flowers because whenever you do, I Google them and read all about them. So, thank you!

   I’ve seen Lantana but neve knew what they were called. They are GORGEOUS! And what I really love about them is that they look like a flower within a flower. And the colors are stunning!

   Thanks for sharing, my friend! Have a COOL Sunday!

   P.S. With the index, it reached 105 here yesterday. Today they forecast 107!

   • Ron, they DO look like a flower within a flower! And those flowers are incredibly tiny. I love the way they display in yellows and pinks, too. So far, I haven’t seen any hummingbirds flitting around them, but the bees and butterflies seem to find them pretty tasty!

     Oh, dear, the weather. What can I say? We had a storm last night, which kind of pulled down the awful stickiness for a bit, but it’s still hot. And Tuesday is expected to reach near 100 degrees. Thank Heaven for Willis Carrier, the inventor of air conditioning!!! xx

3. I had no idea that lantana, like oleander, is toxic. Of course I had to check it out, and my friend Mr. Smarty Plants added some details. I knew that birds eat the berries without any ill effects — that’s one way their seeds spread so widely — and I guess I’d assumed the plant generally was safe. It certainly is common here, in gardens and in the wild, and I’ve never heard of a poisoning of any sort. It may be that a bad taste stops critters before they eat too much.

   • I, too, was surprised that Lantana is poisonous to dogs, cats, and humans. I’m not sure I’d have purchased one had I known, for fear of the Monk getting into it. However, he’s never shown any interest in any of my planted flowers, other than “helping” me on Planting Day. I did put the plant on a table, just in case he decided it was interesting. And I felt the leaves — they’re kind of scratchy, like a cat’s tongue — but I don’t get much scent from it. It’s a good thing the butterflies do!

4. I have had Lantana in pots for several years. This year I didn’t put it in. My dog never were interested in it.

   • You’re right, Dawn. I remember in previous years that you had beautiful Lantana, and I made myself a note to get some for myself. It’s quite easy to grow, with the right conditions. At first, when we were having all that rainy weather, it just sat there, but this past week, with all the heat and sunshine, it’s flourished!

5. Your pretty lantana in the sunlight photo made me think of the James Taylor song Yellow & Rose. Interesting that the plant is toxic to dogs. Hopefully they have no desire to consume it!

   • Monk doesn’t seem to have any interest in it at all. Maybe it smells bad to him? I can’t get much scent from it (probably the flowers are just too tiny to exude much fragrance). I understand that here, it’s an annual, so I don’t plan to try over-wintering it. I’ll just enjoy it while I can!

6. I have this lantana in hanging pots, the hummingbirds and yellow swallowtails love it. 🙂

   • You’re so right about the butterflies, but I haven’t noticed it attracting hummers yet. Fingers crossed!

7. We keep out lantana outside the fence so there is no accident. We love t look at them and the Deer are not fond of them.

   • Good plan, John. After all, how many times do dogs go outside without their parents around … and who wants an accident like that? Mine is up on a table that Monk can’t get to. Unless he sprouts wings, which, knowing how often I’m brushing him, I’d have seen!

     • Ha ha ha. Keep watching for those wings for sure. Thanks, Debbie for the laugh.

       • Monkey is a sturdy boy. It would take some heavy-duty wings to hoist him up, for sure!

       • That’s true. 😊

8. Ha! I love your short poem! I didn’t know lantana was toxic. See what you teach us in poetry.

   Lantana comes in so many colors and combination of colors. This particular color (if I remember correctly) is called Confetti which is my favorite color. I did put them in all my homes landscaping in Colorado and in Texas. I don’t care for the scent but I love how easy and long lasting the blooms. And the fact that they would thrive for two years before needing to replace them. The butterflies are attracted to them, but I’ve never seen hummingbirds on them.

   None of my dogs took any interest in my landscape gardens. Only one of my many Labradors would get up into a raised vegetable garden bed to steal green and red tomatoes off the bush!

   It seems to me that Monkey has quite a curiosity when it comes to his backyard!! Yorkie loves to harass the birds and squirrels but no interest in grass or gardens.

   • TD, thank you for the info on Lantana. I didn’t know they’d last two years; I think the signage indicated it was an annual, so I figured I’d have to toss it out at the end of the season.

     I had to giggle at the picture of your Lab climbing up onto a raised bed and stealing tomatoes … right off the bush! What a clever pup, who knew what he wanted.

     Monkey has little interest in my flowers (I’m glad he doesn’t gravitate to the Lantana, at least). I put the Lantana on top of a table, so he wouldn’t be tempted, and I wouldn’t have to worry he’d hop up there and give it a try. He certainly doesn’t need any additional stomach upsets!

     Like Yorkie, Monk loves to chase squirrels. And cats!

9. Lovely ❦

   • Thanks you, Cindy — I’m so happy it made you smile!

10. I’m glad Monkey isn’t attracted! And those flowers are quite beautiful, by the way.

    • Thanks, Ann. It is pretty, but I’m not sure I’d have bought it if I’d realized it’s toxic to pets. I’ve placed it on a table where Monk can’t get at it and am crossing my fingers the stray cats who persist in wandering through the yard don’t find it intriguing!

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