Lantana camara 'Ham and Eggs'
- Phonetic Spelling
- lan-TAY-nah kah-MAR-ah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Lantana Ham and Eggs is a half-hardy perennial that can be either annual or perennial, depending on winter severity. It will die back to the ground when the temperature dips to about 28 ºF (-2.2 ºC) but will grow back from the roots in zones 7b or warmer in spring. It may be slow to break dormancy but will grow quickly once the soil temperature warms. They can be pruned to within 6 inches after the last frost.
The Ham and Eggs inflorescence contains many deep pink flowers (ham) surrounding a center of bright yellow flowers (eggs). The new florets may start almost entirely yellow or cream, but the color deepens as the flower matures. The color changes to pink in the outside ring, which becomes darker with age and spreads toward the center. The Ham and Eggs cultivar does not develop as many berries as other lantana cultivars. This is an advantage as the berries are toxic to many animals but also makes this plant relatively sterile. However, it is easily propagated by softwood cuttings, and with more effort, by dividing the very woody root ball.
Leaves can cause minor skin irritation to some people and are poisonous if eaten. It is toxic to livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and goats.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lantana
- Species:
- camera
- Family:
- Verbenaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- tropical areas of South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract bees, butterflies (particularly Swallowtails, Cabbage White, Gulf Fritillary, Fiery Skipper ) and hummingbirds. Berries are eaten by birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- orange or red fleshy berry-like drupe turns metallic blue or purple-black
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Showy pink and yellow tubular flowers arranged in a rounded umbel inflorescence
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- pinnate venation, sandpaper texture
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses