Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is commonly used for summer color in landscapes.It thrives in sunny areas and is fairly drought tolerant. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Herbaceous perennial, usually grown as an annual. Shopping for Vinca Once you know the type of vinca you’re looking form, we have tips to make sure you get the best-quality plants from your local garden center. Keep the soil moist for a few weeks or until new vinca vines are established, which is indicated by new growth. It has flowers and foliage that resemble those of impatiens, but rather than being a shade lover, annual vinca is a perfect choice for sunny locations. This issue may also be compounded when the flowers have been planted in less than ideal conditions, as they do require well-draining soil. Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants with a trowel or garden fork. Read our, 10 Best Flowering Plants That Deer Will Not Eat, The Best Spiller Plants for Container Gardens. Trailing annual vincas like the 'Cora Cascade' series don't have a big footprint in the soil, but will spill onto pathways and peek through leggy shrubs to add a burst of color. The blooming period for vinca flower, also called periwinkles or Catharanthus roseus officially, depends on what types of vinca are involved. Watering too frequently is a common mistake with annual vinca. Vinca or Periwinkle are grown from seeds. The vinca plant tolerates heat well and continues to flower even in the hottest weather. Remove the mulch the next spring when the temperatures begin to moderate. For cooler growing conditions, like greenhouse production, the "Cooler" series performs well. on May 29, 2017. For example, you can plant white vincas with a burgundy eye alongside burgundy zinnias, or pair peach vincas with a red eye with dramatic wine-hued celosia plants. Thin stems have medium-sized green leaves, with blue flowers in spring on the species. The blooms on vinca minor are relatively small- … Full sun is best, although some afternoon shade is fine. These perform best in shady areas. Hi, I want to plant vinca minor between the sidewalk and the street, replacing the grass I killed last year. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Perennial vincas (Vinca minor, V. major) bloom primarily in spring. They typically stand only 3 to 6 inches off the ground, but their trailing stems can reach 18 inches in length. You really don't have to do anything. Annual vincas bloom through the summer. They are considered a nuisance plant in tropical areas but around the southwest, this will not become a problem. It will languish a bit if planted too early in the cool spring, and will begin to diminish as the weather cools in fall. The cheery flowers on vinca are accented by glossy green leaves. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus. Evergreen perennial lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor), also called creeping myrtle, according to the University of Vermont, is a ground cover for shady areas in USDA zones 4 through 9. Similarly, you may ask, how do you winterize vinca? "Emily Joy" has pink-tinged white flowers. Because of their ability to root and spread, they can help hold the soil in place. In poorly draining soil, stem rot and leaf spots may occur. Once established, Vinca is drought tolerant. A safe bet is to plant your vincas around the same time you set out your tomato transplants: when evening temperatures average 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The newer vincas are easier to start from seed than their predecessors. Oblong to ovate leaves are opposite, simple, ½ to 2 inches long, glossy, with a short petiole. Vinca minor is hardy in zones 4-9, Vinca major 7-11. Sow Vinca seeds outdoors after all danger of frost. No matter your preference, all are attractive to butterflies and are rabbit resistant. Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is a tropical perennial that is grown as an annual in most regions. Vinca provides some of the latest and earliest green in a northern garden, and the blue flowers … This can be important on the side of a hill, where soil erosion might be a problem. Plants bloom in March or April and sometimes again in the fall. Pair them with other heat and sun lovers like million bells, moss rose, lantanas, or penta flowers. You can also plant them in the ground but in and around the southwest it is considered an annual. Vinca plants bear single blooms with five petals that frequently touch or overlap from early summer until the first frost. However, if your Vinca presents some of the symptoms, do the following: Stop overwatering, only water when the soil is dry. Around mailboxes, and use supplemental heat if necessary to provide an ideal temperature... 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