Seven Easy Plants for Desert Landscaping

Lantana is the fourth of seven desert plants that I recommend for people who want desert plants that are perennial (you need to plant them only once), hardy, low care, relatively drought resistant, easy to find, pretty cheap to buy, and provide lovely color many times during the year. Locally, you will most often hear lantana pronounced: lan-tan-nuh.

The botanical name for lantana is Verbenaceae. Lantana is an evergreen vining shrub. Here in the Phoenix area it is used mostly as a ground cover, or planting bed trim, or in hanging planters, since it spills over nicely. Lantana can also be shaped into a bush. They are susceptible to frost damage, so you might want to cover them during the few frosty nights we have in the winter each year. If they are frost damaged, just prune them and they might come back. Lantana is fast growing. Don't plant many or you'll be overrun! The nice thing about using lantana is that it flowers pretty much all year long. You can get pale yellow, bright yellow, orange, and pink varieties. Lantana likes full sun, and isn't picky about the type of soil it will grow in. Deep water your lantana once in a while. Trim periodically.

To see lantana pictures, click here.

Desert plant #1: Oleander
Desert plant #2: Purple Sage
Desert plant #3: Bougainvillea
Desert plant #4: Lantana
Desert plant #5: Pampas Grass
Desert plant #6: Fairy Duster
Desert plant #7: Red Bird of Paradise

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