We continue our journey showcasing Flowers of the Month. The May flowers we are featuring are:
Lantana, Plumbago, and Vinca (Periwinkle).
Lantana is a heavily branched shrub that can grow in compact clumps, dense thickets, or as a climbing vine. Lantana plants generally thrive in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to produce abundant blooms. While they can tolerate some afternoon shade, their flowering will be less profuse in such conditions.
Lantana can repel mosquitoes. It's a flowering plant with a strong, citronella-like scent that deters mosquitoes. It is known for attracting bees and hummingbirds, as well as bees and butterflies for it's nectar. A win-win situation!
Plumbago is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and can come back year after year. Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers with tubular shapes because they can easily insert their long beaks to access the nectar. They have a bright blue color and the abundance of nectar are further appealing to hummingbirds and butterflies alike.
The plant has an aggressive root system and can spread freely, however is not considered invasive. Plumbago typically grows 6 to 8 inches tall on generally erect stems and blooms from late spring to the first frost.
Vincas, also known as Periwinkle, are often used interchangeably to refer to plants in the genus Vinca. It is a popular ground cover. They are heat-loving plants and fairly drought tolerant. They grow well in garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets. Vincas require full sun and well-draining soil. They are low maintenance in terms of pests, diseases and fertilizing. Vinca plants generally prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. While they can handle some shade, they may become leggy or less vigorous if they don't receive enough sunlight.
