Lantana
Lantana (Lantana camara), native to tropical regions of Central and South America, thrives in June’s warm soils and summer sun, producing clusters of multi-colored tubular blooms. Plant new seedlings or transplants in full sun with well-draining soil, spacing them about 18–24 inches apart—lantana appreciates room to spread. I discovered ‘Miss Huff,’ a compact cultivar, last June; within weeks, it erupted into a combination of red, orange, yellow, and pink blooms that seemed to glow under the afternoon sun. Its tolerance for heat and drought makes it an ideal choice for hot, dry climates.
One of the most compelling reasons to plant lantana is its pollinator appeal: hummingbirds gorge on the nectar, and butterflies—like monarchs and swallowtails—cluster en masse on the flower heads, giving your garden an enchanting flutter. Bees also visit to collect just enough nectar to fuel their foraging flights. Keep in mind that lantana can become invasive in warmer regions (zones 9–11), seeding prolifically if not managed. To prevent unwanted spread, deadhead spent flower heads before they develop berry-like seeds and consider container planting in cooler or at-risk areas. When maintained responsibly, a June planting of lantana keeps your summer garden awash in color and hummingbird serenades.