If ever a summer called for tough-as-nails flowers in the landscape, it is 2026. As I write this, I am staring at a forecast with more triple-digit days ahead than I can bear. I grew up in West Texas, and 100-degree days in the summer were the norm. In Georgia the humidity adds its own touch to the misery index. These days beg for award-winning Luscious lantanas.

I’ve written about Marmalade, Royale Cosmo and Basket Tangeglow in the Luscious series, and it is time I tout the fireball of the group, Luscious Royale Red Zone. Red lantanas have been rare in the marketplace, but this winner of 24 awards should create a burning desire to give it a prominent place in the summer garden.

The awards are like a who’s who: Perfect Score University of Minnesota, Perfect Score University of Tennessee, Perfect Score Oklahoma State, and Best of Breed North Carolina State JC Raulston Arboretum to name just a few. From the University of Guelph in Canada to the University of Florida, Luscious Royale Red Zone has won awards. Oh yes and the University of Florida has certified it as sterile and noninvasive in warm areas.

Pollinator-loving gardeners need not worry, as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will treat these blooms as a treasure trove. The Bambi Brigade, however, will resist the temptation.

As the Royale name suggests, the plant fits the garden perfectly without being a space hog. Plants will reach up to 26 inches in height with a 24-inch spread. This also means it is a prime partner for containers. In fact, it has won awards for both hanging baskets and containers.

The Luscious Royale Red Zone lantana doesn’t require luxurious soil or a constant eye for water. It is truly a plant for gardener ease. It is heat tolerant, drought tolerant and needs no deadheading.

Luscious Royale Red Zone is a most worthy annual that will bloom until frost. It is touted as a perennial in zone 9a and warmer. I have never lost one in my zone 8 West Georgia garden. Though I mentioned them as not being picky on soil, good drainage is essential, even more so if you are hoping for a spring return. In zone 8 mine typically die back to near ground level and come roaring back.

When we speak of drought tolerance, that is mostly directed to those planted in beds. Those growing in containers will need frequent watering. As you water in a daily basis, expect a leaching or loss of nutrients.

You will want to use water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks or controlled-release granules per your formula recommendation. Those in the ground, and particularly perennials, will appreciate an application of fertilizer in midsummer. Those that do return in the spring will benefit from a shape-up pruning stimulating both growth and blooms.

My favorite partners are other lantanas like Luscious Basket Tangeglow and Luscious Royale Lemon Tart that have similar growth habits. Rockin’ Blue Suede Shoes and Rockin’ Playin’ The Blues salvias are perfect backdrop plants. You can create a dazzling triadic or three-part harmony of color.

Put Luscious Royale Red Zone lantana at the top of your list, and it will be an award-winner for you too.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)

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