Lantana plants are woody, tropical shrubs with large, rough leaves topped with numerous heads of vividly colored flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. They are free-flowering, often blooming from spring right through to the first frost. Lantana flowers are planted as ornamental tender perennial shrubs in the south and as annuals or house plants in the northern climates. They enjoy well-drained soil and lots of sun and once established, are quite drought and salt tolerant, making them very popular along the southern coasts.