If you want an attractive groundcover for your Northern California garden, look at tracking white lantana (Lantana montevidensis”Alba”). This perennial grows up to 2 feet tall and 6 feet wide, and produces white flower clusters, green to green leaves and black berries. Hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 through 10, it thrives in the warmer parts of the Bay Area and can develop as an annual in the colder basins and mountains. Even though it may die back after exposure to sub-freezing temperatures, then the plant must return. Trailing lantana even tolerates salty states close to the shore.
Choose a sunny area with well-drained soil; in colder regions, wait until late April or the last expected frost date. Until the top 12 inches of soil before you plant your own lantana that is white. Remove and dirt that the top 12 inches are at planting time, moist. Allow enough space for the lantana.
As the trailing lantana was growing in the container, dig a hole in the soil as deep. Until you are able to tip out the main mass tap the sides of the plant container with all the spoonful. Place the main mass and lightly cover with the soil you removed from the pit, taking care not to damage the roots.
Water your trailing lantana that is white thoroughly following transplanting and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Irrigate using a soaker hose once a week during drought periods to make sure abundant flower production.
Fertilize lightly with a complete mulch in early spring. You can fertilize in the summertime if the plant grows vigorously. Overfertilizing results in plants that are spindly with blossoms.
Prune the ends of your monitoring lantana sometimes during the summer to promote continued. The Clemson University Cooperative Extension recommends pruning back the plant to 6 to 12 inches tall in the spring.