Creating a Lantana Standard

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Allie88 Palmyra, PA(Zone 6a) Aug 04, 2003

Hi! Does anyone know how I would begin a Lantana Standard? I didn't even know you could do this, until I visited Longwood Gardens in June. I've searched the internet and my gardening books, but can't find any information on this. I would love any advice or referrals to another forum which may have already had this as a topic! Thanks! :)

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Ronna Tulsa, OK(Zone 6b) Aug 05, 2003

Allie, Lantana is very brittle, so you need to encourage it to grow the way that you want, instead of trying to force it. If you try to bend it too much, the branch will just snap. It's easier if you can start with a tall straight young plant. You can tie it to a stake, and keep cutting off the lower branches. That will cause it to grow tall, instead of out. When it gets as tall as you want, start pinching back the top, and keep pinching it until it fills out. I had quite a few of them, but only have a couple left, because I got tired of losing the tops off them. You grow, and grow and just when it's finally really shaping up, a storm knocks the WHOLE top off. I had a pale pink one last summer that went from about 7 feet tall to a 40" stick in an overnight storm. The top was about 3 feet tall, and at least as wide, and absolutely covered in blooms. I was sick!!!

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Allie88 Palmyra, PA(Zone 6a) Aug 05, 2003

Thank you, Ronna. Can you keep these inside or do they definitely need to be outside? I don't think I'll try it if you can't keep them inside, because we get terrible wind where we live, and also, I'm in zone 6, so it couldn't survive winter. Maybe I'll try it when I can get a greenhouse! :)

Thanks again!

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Ronna Tulsa, OK(Zone 6b) Aug 05, 2003

I have to bring them inside for the winter, but keep them outside from late spring until mid fall. I don't know if you could keep them inside all of the time, they do so much better outside. If you could find a sunny spot that is protected from the wind, it would be perfect! Where are you?

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Allie88 Palmyra, PA(Zone 6a) Aug 13, 2003

I am in Pennsylvania. We are in a very windy location, although I could probably find a protected spot. I'd like to try it, but I'm a little afraid, since you told me they break off all the time. I don't have a greenhouse, would it be alright in my family room over the winter? Thanks for writing. I am having a busy August, so I don't get to check in here every day.

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