Lantana (Lantana camara 'Balluced' LITTLE LUCKY RED)

Overview

The Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED is a highly sought-after specimen valued for its dense, bushy habit and exceptionally long season of color. This dwarf selection of Lantana produces constant, rounded clusters of flowers that transition beautifully from yellow to orange and finally deep scarlet red, often displaying multiple hues simultaneously on a single plant. As a broadleaf evergreen, this Lantana offers reliable performance when grown in warmer climates (Zones 10-11).

Gardeners benefit from the low maintenance requirements of Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED, which thrives with minimal intervention once established, provided it receives adequate full sun exposure. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant serves as a vibrant addition to annual displays or container arrangements, attracting essential pollinators throughout its prolific bloom period from May until the first seasonal frost.

For gardeners outside ideal zones, this Lantana variety excels as a seasonal annual bedding plant. Its compact size makes Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED perfect for adding reliable, intense color to borders and mixed plantings where larger, more aggressive Lantana species might overwhelm the space.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Verbenaceae
• Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.75-1 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1 ft
• Bloom Time: May to frost
• Bloom Description: Scarlet red, orange, and yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED in spring after all danger of frost has passed when using it as an annual bedding plant. It demands full sun to achieve its best flowering display. This plant is highly adaptable, growing easily in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, and it tolerates poor soil conditions well.

Watering needs are medium; ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not soggy, especially during dry summer periods. Lantana is generally low maintenance, requiring little fuss or supplemental feeding to perform well. Pruning is generally not necessary for this dwarf cultivar, but old foliage or spent blooms may be tidied up periodically.

For those looking to extend their enjoyment beyond one season, overwintering is possible. In typical zones (10-11), it remains hardy, but gardeners in colder areas should treat it as an annual or bring container plants indoors. Overwintering requires a bright location with cool temperatures, ideally between 40-49°F. While purchasing new plants each spring is common, cuttings taken in summer can also be used for starting next year’s Lantana collection.

Landscape Uses

The small stature of Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED, reaching only 10 to 12 inches tall, makes it an outstanding choice for applications where space is limited or a low border is desired. It performs beautifully when used as an annual bedding plant, providing continuous groundcover color that resists towering over nearby plantings.

This cultivar is particularly effective in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets, where its dense, globe-shaped flower clusters create a vibrant focal point from spring until frost. If you seek a reliable, sun-loving annual that requires low upkeep and delivers high visual impact, this variety of Lantana is an excellent selection for nearly any sunny spot in your landscape design.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lantana camara, commonly called lantana or shrub verbena, is native to Central and South America. The specific cultivar ‘Balluced’ is a floriferous, dwarf selection of lantana that features a dense, bushy growth habit and a long bloom period from spring to frost, often sold under the name LITTLE LUCKY RED. Its small flowers emerge yellow, maturing through orange to scarlet red within globe-shaped clusters, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.

Tolerances

Potential Problems

This variety typically exhibits no serious insect or disease problems under normal growing conditions. However, gardeners should monitor overwintering plants closely for common indoor pests such as whiteflies and spider mites. Regular inspection and prompt treatment if pests appear will keep your overwintered or summer Lantana healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED suitable for?

Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED is only top growth winter hardy in USDA Zones 10 and 11, though its roots can survive Zone 9 winters. In colder regions, it thrives as an annual.

How large does Lantana grow?

This dwarf selection typically matures to a height and spread between 0.75 and 1 foot tall and wide, making it compact for border fronts or containers.

What sun exposure does Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED need?

Lantana requires full sun exposure to ensure prolific blooming throughout the season, developing its best scarlet red, orange, and yellow flower clusters.

When does Lantana bloom?

This cultivar blooms extensively from May all the way through the first frost of the season.

Conclusion

The Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED is a superb choice for gardeners needing reliable, low-maintenance color throughout the entire growing season. Its dwarf habit and dazzling mixed flower colors make this Lantana a versatile performer in beds and significant source of nectar for local pollinators. Before planting, confirm your hardiness zone or plan accordingly to bring your containerized Lantana inside for overwintering to enjoy this beautiful plant year after year.

Companion Planting

When selecting companions for Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED, focus on plants that share its intense light and heat requirements while offering contrasting foliage texture or color. Low-growing annuals like Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) offer trailing contrast, while upright Salvia or Calibrachoa work well in mixed containers, complementing the red and orange tones of the Lantana. Ensure that any companions you choose also thrive in full, baking sunlight and medium moisture levels to maintain the health and performance of your Lantana.

Wildlife Benefits

The dense, multi-hued flower clusters of Lantana are intensely attractive to pollinators, which is a significant benefit of incorporating this plant into the landscape. Flowers are noted as being attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other essential pollinators, supporting local ecological health. Planting Lantana camara ‘Balluced’ LITTLE LUCKY RED near patios or outdoor living spaces ensures you can enjoy the constant activity these beneficial insects bring to your garden throughout the warm months.