Q.
My lantana is about to eat my house! They are 15 to over 20 feet wide each. My
neighbors’ lantana are only about 4 feet across. Mine are much too large for the
space given to them. Should I cut them back now?
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| Not the lantana written about but to give you a look if you don’t know it. |
A.
You can cut them back now to about an inch. It will leave the area bare and
twiggy. There is time for them to grow and fill out again. If you have the
time, selectively cut back the bigger diameter stems and leave the smaller ones
closer to center. This will leave the newer flowers but reduce its size.
If it does not freeze it will grow
from its terminal or side buds and get big. Next year cut it all back to an
inch of the soil in early January regardless of whether it freezes or not. This
will contain its size. Your neighbors’ plants were probably cut back during the
winter.