Annuals - Lantana
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 (February) Last year I planted Lantana in several sunny spots in my yard. They were luscious and grew quite large. Now, they are mere stalks and my question is, will they come back again or are they annuals? If they are perennials, when do I trim them back?

 Lantana is one of those wait-and-see type of plants. Some years they are perennial in central Arkansas, and some years they aren't. If they do come back, they typically begin growing at the soil line--from the crown of the plant--not from the top. You can begin cleaning up the dead stalks, and add a light layer of mulch, being careful not to uproot the whole plant. Be patient this spring--lantana's thrive in heat, and even if they are still alive, they will not be the first thing to green back up. I have some that have survived, but I usually add a few new ones, because I am too impatient to wait for that first bloom.

  (February) If you have time, I would sure like to know when you would recommend pruning Crepe Myrtles, Lantana, Coral Bells, Weigela, and Dwarf Maiden Grass. We planted all these plants last summer.

  There are several different types of plants you are asking about from annuals to perennials to woody shrubs. Let's start with the woodies. Crape myrtles bloom on new growth. If they need it, prune them before new growth begins in late Feb. Weigelia is a late spring bloomer, but it has its flower buds set now, so prune it after it blooms. All ornamental grasses benefit from a haircut before new growth begins--in late Feb through mid March. Before pruning, check to see how much new growth there is, and then cut as low as possible, without cutting into any new green. Coral Bells--or heuchera ( I assume you mean the perennial--not Coral bell azaleas) is a semi-evergreen perennial. Often you will have some cleanup to do in the spring before new growth begins. Lantana is a summer annual/perennial. In some parts of the state it comes back easier than in others. It is rare to see any lantana resprouting above ground. Usually it will come back from the crown, with the upper portions burned back by winter, so cutting back the dead foliage before new growth begins is beneficial.

 (April) I had a penta plant and a lantana plant in the garage all winter. I took them out the first of April. The lantana already had leafed out and had a bloom. The penta had leafed out on the end of stalks with brown leaves, it was also growing new growth from the roots. I didn't do anything to the lantana, but cut the penta back down to the new growth from the roots. Thinking it wasn't going to be cold that night, I left them uncovered in the yard. Evidently it was still too cold because the leaves were brown on the ends the next morning. Should I just cut them back to the roots now?

 A lot of people got anxious this spring and moved plants outdoors a bit early-there were temperatures from the low 30's - mid 40's many nights. Hopefully, the root system is fine and will go ahead and re-sprout new foliage. Be patient and see where growth begins again when the weather stays warm. It is helpful to prune them back some to encourage new growth. Sometimes they get awfully leggy after being protected all winter. Fertilize lightly now, and more when they get growing.

 (July) Last year I spent hours dead-heading yellow Lantanas even though they don't seem to put out many seeds. This year I have not dead-headed and can't tell the difference in the number of flowers. Is dead-heading really necessary?

 Some varieties of lantanas set a profusion of seeds, while others rarely set any seeds at all -- they are basically self-cleaning. I would only dead-head if you see seed heads forming. Seed set takes away from the plant setting more flowers, but if yours aren't setting seeds, it would be a waste of time to dead-head.

 (July) I have heard that if you dead head Lantana's that they will help them bloom more. I have tried that and it takes a lot of time -- nearly every day. Do you think that is true and is it worth the time and effort??

 If you have a lantana that sets a profuse amount of seeds, then deadheading weekly should definitely help with rebloom. I would not do it daily, since that is a bit tedious. Some varieties of lantana set more seeds than others. A few varieties are practically seedless. Whenever a plant sets seeds, it redirects energy that could go into setting more flowers into the seed production, so if you want plenty of flowers, do deadhead.

 (September) In a recent issue of Southern Living there was an article on lantanas. It said that lantanas are native to tropical America and may be annuals or perennials, depending on where you live. We live in Heber Springs. Would these flowers do well here? If so, where can we get plants or seeds? We like the idea of something that is hardy and blooms spring until fall. Thanks for your assistance.

 Lantana plants would be considered an annual in Heber Springs, although it is perennial in south Arkansas and even occasionally in Little Rock. In mild winters it may over winter further north, but don't count on it. Lantana is a common plant at most nurseries and garden centers statewide. It has been on the market for years. Newer varieties have been released that are self-cleaning, meaning they don't set as many seeds, and the plants bloom more freely without the need to deadhead. Lantana thrives in hot weather. It won't kick in and grow when the weather is cool in early spring, but once the soil temperature heats up, this plant will bloom up until frost. It comes in a variety of colors from yellows, whites, reds, and the traditional multi colored blooms of yellow and oranges. Give it plenty of sunlight and fertilize monthly throughout the blooming season.

 (October) When is the proper time to prune lantanas that are planted in the yard and to what length should the stalks be cut?

 Lantana plants will die to the ground usually following a killing frost. At that point you can cut off the old foliage and mulch them for the winter. In south Arkansas they are fairly reliable perennials. In central Arkansas and northward they are iffy. Pruning during the growing season is usually not done unless they get leggy or need dead-heading.

 (November) I need your HELP! I have got the most beautiful Lantana's in my front yard, and I have been told that if I cut them back and cover them well with bark they will come back... Is this true??  Just tell me what I need to do.

 Lantana plants are moderately winter hardy. Some people have lantana that are perennial in nature and come back every year, while others replant every season. Some of this depends on where you are in the state -- south or north, and then also, what type of winter we have. For your best chance, wait for a killing frost, then mulch a little extra. Be patient in the spring, since lantana will not begin to grow until the soil temperature has sufficiently warmed up.

 I bought the most beautiful purple blooming plant the other day. I know nothing about it, other than the nametag that came with it–heliotrope. Do you know anything about this plant? Is it an annual or a perennial? What care should I give it? (Beebe)

 Heliotrope is a wonderful tender plant, grown either as a summer annual or treated as a tropical plant, and moved indoors in the winter. These wonderful dark green foliaged plants have a beautiful cluster of flowers in shades of purple or white. The flowers are very fragrant, and should bloom all summer long. They do best in full sun and need lots of water–they are not very drought tolerant. Conversely, they don’t tolerate wet feet either. Depending on cultivar they can grow from 15 to 30 inches tall.

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