328 TJie Lantana. 



THE LANTANA. 



Among bedding-plants, the lantana holds the foremost rank : indeed, it 

 is only as a bedding or summer-blooming plant that it is deserving of culti- 

 vation. The genus, to which are referred some fift}^ or more species, be- 

 longs to the natural family Verbenacece. INIost of the species are natives 

 of the warmer parts of America, and are generally shrubs with axillary 

 heads, rarely spikes, of flowers, which are white, purple, lilac, rose, yellow, 

 or orange ; the same head often containing flowerets of various colors. 



We have said these plants were only valuable for bedding ; for though, if 

 well grown in heat, they are evergreens, bloom fi-eely, and make pretty 

 specimens, they are of no value for bouquets, both 0:1 account of the flower- 

 ets falling soon after they are cut, and because the whole plant has a 

 rank and unpleasant odor which is very disagreeable to most people. It is 

 one of those plants which would be very pretty and popular if we had 

 nothing more desirable ; but, when there are hundreds of more desirable 

 candidates for greenhouse-culture, none will grow lantanas. 



But, as a bedding-plant, we find few to compare with it for ease of cul- 

 ture, for free-flowering habit, and brilliancy of bloom. The flowers resem- 

 ble a verbena ; but the heads of bloom are smaller and more compact. 

 The plant is usually more bushy, and gives us colors which are wholly 

 wanting in the verbena. 



We are aware, that, while verbenas are grown everywhere, Ave seldom 

 see lantanas, and this for two reasons : first, the plants are not generally 

 known ; and, second, many who have tried their cultivation have failed 

 from bad management, and attribute to the plant their want of success. 



The general error is in giving the plant too rich a soil. Most of the spe- 

 cies are naturally rank growers, and, if planted in a rich border, grow all 

 to bush, and give few flowers, or just begin to show full bloom as the frosts 

 of autumn kill the plant. 



As a small plant only a few inches high, and which can be obtained of 

 any florist, will by September cover a space three feet in circumference, 

 the object of our cultivation must be to obtain the most bloom from the 

 least bush. This can readily be accomplished by setting the plant in a 

 sandy soil instead of in a richly-manured bed. 



