Periwinkle or annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is a tough and durable annual flower for the garden. As it is native to Madagascar, another common name for it has been Madagascar periwinkle. This annual was once the staple annual in commercial landscapes until sprinkler systems became the norm. With frequent overhead watering, the plants developed a disease problem called stem canker, which led to their dying and falling out of favor. Through advances in plant breeding, we now have varieties with good disease resistance to stem canker, and the plant is once again becoming a staple in home landscapes.
Periwinkle plants can be upright in growth habit or spreading. Flower colors can vary from shades of pink, reds, whites and purples, with some interesting bi-color combinations coming soon. Some varieties have a bright center eye, while others are a solid color. The foliage is a bright, glossy green with white veins. The plants perform best in well-drained soils with full sun. Water mainly to get them established; they are one of the most drought-tolerant annuals we grow. Foliage will curl if they begin to get too dry, which is a good sign to water. Moderate fertilizer needs. The flowers do not need dead-heading, as they will drop when they finish. The plants are covered in blooms all summer long. Another added bonus is the plant is poisonous, so deer and rabbits will leave it alone.
Some excellent series to try including Cora and Cora Cascade (an upright and a spreading form). These come in a wide range of colors from pure white to blush, shades of pink, and lavender with single and bi-color options. The Cooler and Titan series are also disease resistant. Coming soon are some outstanding color choices in the Tattoo series; unfortunately, they are not disease resistant, but they would still make some good container choices.
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