Texas Lantana

Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides) is one of the toughest and most colorful native perennials for Central Texas landscapes. Its clusters of bright orange and yellow flowers bloom from spring until frost, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. Texas Lantana thrives in full sun, tolerates heat, drought, and poor soils, and is highly resistant to deer, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly gardens.

Gardeners should take care not to confuse Texas Lantana with the many non-native lantana hybrids commonly sold in nurseries. While some cultivated lantanas are excellent landscape plants, others can be invasive, short-lived, or less beneficial to wildlife. For the greatest ecological value and reliability, I generally recommend the native Texas species whenever possible.