Now that most plants slowly lose their leaves and flowers this beast keeps blooming! The flowering peak is in spring and early summer, but they will not stop, unless they are heavily trimmed.
Lantana belong to Verbenas family and is native to Africa and tropical Americas, but can be found in other regions too. It is quite a common plant here in Portugal and it grows without any issues thanks to mild climate and no frosts in winter. The hot and dry summers don't seem to bother it much either.
The one I have here can grow to a quite large size bushes and if not controlled it will spread. It can be very invasive and will not allow other plants to grow.
Though grown in gardens and around fences for its flowers (this is the way I see it around here the most, as it grows thick and provides privacy) it should be grown with caution and their leaves are toxic to animals.
The flowers are lovely though! Multiple colours on the same bush and always with bees and butterflies around. The colour can vary, but the most common are pinks and orange. I saw a different, smaller variety in some planted with white blooms, which looked really nice too!
The flowers on the same bush can have different colours as the shade will change when the blooms age.
And later, little berries will show. First green and later dark navy blue. Very shiny and apparently liked by some birds.
They almost look like blackberries, but each little ball is larger. And I would not recommend eating them.
»«
Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens
All photos and text are my own.
»»-------------¤-------------««