Mini Gardenia. Good to replace perennial Lantana?

I hate how my Lantana all die in the first slight freeze here in zone 8B. I would like to replace it with something more winter hardy so my beds don't look horrible from Dec. through April. I have one mini Gardenia planted elsewhere and I didn't protect it during the 2 freezes we've had so far. I'm sure it will stay evergreen through any freeze we get down here.

BUT...........my question is, is this a good replacement for the Lantanas? Has anyone used these at the front of their flowerbeds successfully? I also don't want to be constantly having to prune, and I want flowers/color and scented and butterfly/hummingbird attractants if possible. Is that too much to ask????????????? :o

I'm not sure how hardy the mini-Gardenia is but if you've been successful with it, I'd use it as an edging and find something else as a filler or start a mixed bed. You might want to ask this question in the fragrant & Gardening for Butterflies and Hummers forums. I've planted my Gardenia 'Kleim's Hardy' at the edge of one of the beds and I know there are a few other cv's that are hardy. I almost think it might be more beneficial to have a larger plant as an edger for your type of garden (butterfly/hummingbird).

I'd agree with growin in that a little more height with other species as fillers might be nice but then you did suggest you wanted a replacement for the front of a flower bed. Some Lantanas may not have been the best choice for you. Many Lantana are indigenous to Central America and Africa and I suppose frost is going to get those in your zone. Which Lantana do you have? Lantana camara which only grows to about 5' that may or may not regrow in your area after a frost or L. montevidensis which doesn't grow much taller than 2' but is an annual that sort of spreads out to about 3' but will probably be deader than a doornail after the first frost? Or, an entirely different Lantana? There are a few natives out there that are major league butterfly attractants such as Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides) which could get a little tall for the front of a border and Desert Lantana (Lantana achyranthifolia) which grows to only about 3' but both should definitely be hardy in your area. If you like butterflies and hummers, what about something suited specifically to the species that frequent your region?

Wooly Beebrush (Aloysia macrostachya) grows to about 8'-10' and is extremely appealing to critters. You could fill in around the base of that with maybe Groovestem (Bouchea linifolia) which grows to about 2'-3' and it's extremely appealing to critters.

I'm just going to toss some butterfly/bird magnets out for your region and for your zone to consider in an assortment of heights and perhaps there will be something that catches your eye once you look up images of them or check into specifically which species of butterfly/bird they attract.

-Showy Menodora (Menodora longiflora) another really great low growing plant to only about 18" high
-Fairy Duster (Calliandra conferta) grows to about 1.5' and would probably be ideal for a front border.
-Catclaw Mimosa (Mimosa borealis) this is the indigenous Mimosa not the exotic invasive Mimosa, extremely beautiful and grows no taller than 3'
-Rock Hibiscus (Hibiscus denudatus) to about 1' - 2' tall
-Heart-leaf Hibiscus (Hibiscus martianus) about the same height as the above Hibiscus
-Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) I love the fruits on this and it only grows to about 8'- 10'.
-Feather Dalea (Dalea formosa) semi-evergreen but grows to about 3' tall. Great bloom color.
-Silver Dalea (Dalea bicolor var. argyraea) don't let the silver in the common name fool you. This has beautiful purple blooms on it and it only grows to about 2.5' high.
-Trailing Dalea (Dalea greggii) excellent color on this plant that spreads out to about 3' and never grows taller than a foot or so.
-Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala) even when it likes where it is planted, it doesn't live longer than about 3-5 years although it might be in the height range you like at around 3-4'. Very attractive blooms and this is semi-evergreen.

Sure wish I was in a zone that could grow this one as it's very showy with a height of around 3'-
-Guadalupe Mountain Laurel (Sophora gypsophila var. guadalupensis)
-Texas Mahonia (Mahonia swaseyi) to about 5' tall
-Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) around 10' tall, knock down gorgeous blooms on this plant.
-Texas Indigo Bush (Amorpha roemeriana) which only grows to about 2.5'.
-Prairie Acacia (Acacia angustissima) which only grows to around 2'

These indigenous Salvias are noteworthy for butterflies-
Cherry Sage (Salvia greggii) only to about 2'-3' tall
Crespa (Salvia ballotiflora) only to about 2'- 5' in height
Royal Sage (Salvia regla) same in height as above
Rock Sage (Salvia pinguifolia) same height as above Salvias

Check out these native Buddleia which would certainly be big hits for the butterflies and hummers around you-
-Wand Butterflybush (Buddleia racemosa) to about 3'
-Wooly Butterflybush (Buddleia marrubiifolia) about 5'

I know you didn't ask for a vine but I'm tossing this in for your zone because birds love the berries and it adds some nice seasonal interest-
-Wild Sarsaparilla (Cocculus carolinus)

If you like bees to help pollinate your other plants, consider this-
-Calderona Krameria (Krameria ramosissima) grows to about 2'

Truly hope you find something in the above that may work for you. I love indigenous plants and particularly those that attract critters whether they be butterflies, bees, or birds.

Thanks!!!!!!!! I will look all those up. I'm looking for something no more than about 18".

Ladyborg, how about roses? if you had lantana, then you must have enough sun for low easy-care, low maint and short roses

I would think in your hot summer climate, the mini gardenia would need quite a bit more shade than lantana would, so some of the other suggestions made above would probably do better in that area.

Have you considered Indian Hawthorn? It would be low growing and evergreen.

Buddleia would be to big in your zone. As far as gardenias I think those would work, the mini's won't get that big with a little pruning. Salvias might do it to. Mine grow in blazing sun and in a dry spot of my yard. One warning they don't like water. Many different colors to choose from.

I just looked up Indian Hawthorn (I had heard of it, of course, but didn't know what it looked like), they look beautiful (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51731/index.html). I may try that. DO they attract butterflies and hummingbirds????

How about Spirea? For another area in my garden, not front of a bed.

Core, I have Buddleia, and they are pretty leggy, even though I cut them back quite a bit in spring. I want something bushy. I do love the way they attract the butterflies though!

I have read that Indian Hawthorne blooms do attract butterflies, and the fruit also attracts birds. They are used quite often here around parking lot areas where it gets pretty hot during the summer. The only problem with them that I know of is a leaf spot. It is said that avoiding overhead watering can reduce the chances of it. If you do get the leaf spot, it can easily be controlled by spraying with Immunox in the spring. I'm sure most of them here never get any special treatment though.