Vinca Cora® XDR Mix
Catharanthus roseus
Characteristics
- Type: Annual
- Zone: 9 – 11
- Height: 14 – 18 Inches
- Width: 18 – 20 Inches
- Blooms: Late Spring through Summer
- Bloom: Apricot, Polka Dot, Red, Pure White
- Sun: Full Sun – Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Maintenance: Low
- Flower: Showy
- Tolerate: Rabbit, Drought, Dry Soil
- Texas Superstar®
Culture
Outside Zones 9-11, Vinca Cora® XDR Mix is best grown as an annual bedding plant in well-drained sandy loams in full sun to part shade. Needs regular moisture, but avoid overhead watering. Superior soil drainage is the key to growing this annual well. Thrives in hot and humid summer weather. Container plants may be overwintered indoors. Cora® Vinca (commonly referred to as periwinkle) are the first varieties of this species to be resistant to the aerial Phytophthora fungus, a devastating disease that until now limited use of this species in Texas landscapes. In addition, they are heat and humidity tolerant and deer resistant. They are available in a wide array of colors.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Catharanthus roseus, commonly called periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle or annual vinca, is an erect to spreading tender perennial in the dogbane family typically mounding 6-18” (less frequently to 24”) tall and as wide. It produces attractive bushy foliage that is covered by an often profuse bloom of phlox-like flowers from summer to frost. Best flowering is in summer. Tubular flowers have five flattened petal-like lobes and appear singly in the upper leaf axils. Species plants are seldom seen in commerce today, having been largely replaced by larger flowered cultivars, many of which are dwarf to compact plants that sometimes have overlapping petals. Cultivars expand the available in several color ranges often with contrasting darker throats/eyes. Oblong to ovate glossy green leaves (to 2” long). Synonymous with and formerly known as Vinca rosea.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Garden Uses
Annual ground cover, bedding, edging or containers.