Lantana camara Shamrock™ 'Orange Flame'

Lantana camara Shamrock™ 'Orange Flame' , also known as 'Balshamorf', is a perennial shrub in the Verbenaceae family, part of the Shamrock™ series, developed by Ball FloraPlant®. It is prized for its vibrant, bicolor flowers, ranging from deep orange to golden yellow, and for its compact, well-branched habit. This variety is ideal for pots, hanging baskets, borders or gardens, due to its continuous flowering and resistance to difficult conditions.

Appearance of leaves and flowers

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

Growth characteristics

• Height and width : Reaches 30-40 cm in height and 30-35 cm in width, forming a compact shrub with a mountainous, well-branched habit.
• Vigor : Moderate, uniform growth, ideal for small spaces or potted combinations. It is shorter than other Lantana camara varieties.
• Type : Perennial in warm areas, treated as an annual in temperate climates. Leaves may persist in 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 a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Tolerates poor soils, but appreciates the addition of organic matter.
• Watering : Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, about once every 7-9 days. It is drought tolerant once established, but avoids soggy soils.
• Temperature : Hardy in zones 9-11 (down to 0°C). In Romania, it is grown as an annual or kept indoors in winter. It prefers temperatures of 20-30°C.

Care and resistance

• Hardiness : Very drought, heat, and poor soil tolerance. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, but is deer resistant. May be affected by spider mites or whiteflies; treat with insecticidal soap. Tolerates salt and urban pollution well.
• Fertilization : Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10) every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which stimulates foliage at the expense of flowers.
• Pruning : Prune in early spring, before new growth, to maintain compact shape. Remove faded flowers to encourage continued blooming.
• Propagation : Propagate 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 annuals such as petunias or calibrachoa. Its vibrant flowers add intense colour, combining well with plants with silver foliage or white flowers. It is suitable for tropical gardens, urban landscapes or terraces. They attract pollinators, contributing to biodiversity.

Origin

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