Lantana camara Shamrock™ 'Orange Flame'

Lantana camara Shamrock™ 'Orange Flame', also known as 'Balshamorf', is a perennial shrub from the Verbenaceae family, part of the Shamrock™ series developed by Ball FloraPlant®. It is valued for its vibrant two-tone flowers, ranging from bright orange to golden yellow, and for its compact, well-branched form. This variety is ideal for pots, hanging baskets, borders, or gardens due to its continuous blooming and resilience to harsh conditions.

Appearance of leaves and flowers

• Leaves: The leaves are ovate, 5-10 cm long, with serrated edges, dark green, and have a rough texture. They emit a lightly minty aromatic scent when crushed. The foliage is dense and remains attractive throughout the season.
• Flowers: The flowers are small, tubular, grouped in round clusters of 3-5 cm, with a combination of bright orange on the outside and golden yellow towards the center. They bloom from June to October, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The scent is subtle and floral. Blooming is continuous, with new flowers constantly appearing.

Growth characteristics

• Height and width: Reaches 30-40 cm in height and 30-35 cm in width, forming a compact, bushy shrub with a mountainous habit.
• Vigor: Moderate, even growth, ideal for small spaces or container combinations. It is shorter than other Lantana camara varieties.
• Type: Perennial in warm areas, treated as an annual in temperate climates. Leaves may persist through mild winters.

Growing conditions

• Exposure: Prefers full sun (6-8 hours/day) for maximum flowering. Tolerates partial shade, but flowers are fewer.
• Soil: Grows in well-drained, sandy or loamy soils, with slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Tolerates poor soils but benefits from added organic matter.
• Watering: Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil are dry, about once every 7-9 days. It is drought-tolerant once established but avoids waterlogged soils.
• Temperature: Hardy in zones 9-11 (down to 0°C). In Romania, it is grown as an annual or kept indoors during winter. Prefers temperatures of 20-30°C.

Care and resistance

• Resistance: Very resistant to drought, heat, and poor soils. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but is deer-resistant. May be affected by mites or whiteflies; treat with insecticidal soap. Tolerates salt and urban pollution well.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which encourages leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
• Pruning: Prune early in spring before new growth to maintain a compact shape. Remove faded flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
• Propagation: Propagated by 10-15 cm cuttings in spring or summer, or by seeds, which germinate in 2-3 weeks at 20-25°C.

Lantana Shamrock™ 'Orange Flame' is ideal for pots, hanging baskets, borders, rock gardens, or combinations with other annual plants such as petunias or calibrachoa. Its vibrant flowers add intense color, pairing well with plants with silvery foliage or white flowers. Suitable for tropical gardens, urban landscapes, or terraces. It attracts pollinators, contributing to biodiversity.

Origin

Lantana camara is native to Central and South America but is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Shamrock™ 'Orange Flame', part of the Shamrock™ series, was developed for its compact habit and uniform color, launched by Ball FloraPlant®.