The relatively new Son series of lantanas from Jim Covington at Clinton Nursery in Clinton, Miss., have been very impressive in Louisiana and Mississippi plant trials the last few years. The Son series includes Sonrise, Sonset, Samson and Sonshine.
Sonrise (PP#10865) was the first release in the series and was a Mississippi Medallion plant in 2003. Sonrise has golden yellow flower clusters that change into rosy pink and/or reddish orange and then finish magenta. Sonset (PP#12883) is a mutation of Sonrise and has deeper vibrant red and purple blooms. Both of these varieties reach spreads and heights of 4-5 feet and have very good cold hardiness. Samson (PP#12705) is lower growing and more spreading and has gold and orange flowers. The newest Son series lantana is Sonshine (PPAF), and it has two-toned yellow and light yellow flowers on plants reaching heights of 3 feet with a spread of 5 feet. Sonrise lantana is a Mississippi Medallion plant. Additional information on these exciting new plants is available at www.sonlantana.com.