| This article is basically for the lower elevations of the | | | | about 1/4 from the top. |
| southwest. | | | | Once the weather warms up significantly you may |
| But can be adapted to other gardening zones as well. | | | | remove the mulch around them so that the sun can |
| I get this question all the time at our retail gardening | | | | heat up the soil around the roots. Be patient, and |
| store, why do my lantana and red bird of paradise | | | | look for small green buds to begin emerging. Once |
| plants die during the winter months? | | | | this happens and the weather stays warm both the |
| The Lantana and Red bird of paradise have | | | | lantana and bird of paradise will begin to grow at a |
| spectacular colorful looking blooms throughout the | | | | tremendous rate of speed! |
| early summer and late fall months. However they do | | | | You may the feed them lightly with your choice of |
| not like temperatures below 28 degrees fahrenheit. | | | | fertilizer. In most cases they will exceed the previous |
| In the desert southwest we will experience temps | | | | years' growth, as they already have an extensive |
| down to about 20 degrees or so and sometimes into | | | | root system. Remember lots of heat and patience in |
| the upper teens. | | | | early spring will be rewarded with lots of color all |
| The best advice is to cut them back anytime | | | | summer long. |
| between January and March. Be sure to cut them | | | | The Lantana is also commonly called a Shrub |
| down close to the ground. Especially younger smaller | | | | Verbena. All Lantanas are tough, resilient plants that |
| plants. It is best to keep the crown covered with | | | | thrive in hot weather and bloom profusely from |
| mulch until night time temps are above 50 degrees f. | | | | spring until frost. |
| Larger more established Red bird of paradise plants | | | | Need more information? Just visit our website for |
| do not need to be trimmed to the ground. Just trim | | | | tons of free gardening information. |