Recently I visited the JC Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina and came across popcorn lantana (Lantana trifolia). This brought back memories. Years ago, Adrian Higgins, former Washington Post garden writer, wrote about this plant after he saw it at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. I remember thinking at the time, what a unique plant!
Popcorn lantana is cousin to Lantana camara, the other lantana that is sold at local garden centers in the beginning of the summer. Treated as an annual, the flower colors of Lantana camara are “warm” — red, orange, or yellow. Popcorn lantana has lavender flowers with a random spot of yellow. Although the flowers are pretty, popcorn lantana is named for its “popcorn” like fruit. The flowers bloom along a 3-inch spike, first flowering at the bottom. After they bloom, they produce a small spherical fruit that looks like a purple metallic bead. Eventually, there are spikes of glossy purple beads.
These are full sun, drought resistant plants that prefer well drained soil. Butterflies love the flowers, and popcorns appear from late summer to fall. The entire plant can reach about 3 feet tall and wide. Like the other lantana plants, though, these are tender perennials, hardy to zone 10, so they will not survive our winters.
I looked online for a seed source but could not find any. I did find one plant source but since winter is approaching, I may purchase the plant next spring. If you know of a seed or plant source, please share in the comments section.
