BY LORI MURRAY
I have never had any luck growing periwinkles even though I’ve admired those I saw waving in seas of vibrant color in other people’s yards.
Despite my best efforts, mine always seemed to be victims of some strange disorder that would cause them to inexplicably shrivel up and flop over, a situation that gave me so much guilt that I finally quit trying to grow the flower myself and decided I could just enjoy it in other locations. Imagine my interest when I heard about a vinca revolution on the radio and then research gave me an article titled “No More Sudden Death Vincas.”
A new vinca has been developed that is resistant to aerial Phytophthora fungus, “a devastating disease that until now limited the use of vinca in Texas landscapes.” Twenty years in the making, its disease-fighting technology is so revolutionary that it’s actually being patented! Vinca Cora will thrive in our damp, moist, sometimes rainy conditions and will produce heavy blooms from spring to fall. When tested in Dallas, it even survived until frost.
Vinca Cora (a registered name) are heat and humidity tolerant and are available in a wide variety of colors. This annual adapts to most soils and prefers full sun, but will tolerate semi-shade (you won’t get as many flowers though). It will grow 14 – 18 inches tall and about 2 feet wide.
It’s available in Apricot, Burgundy, Dark Red, Light Lavender, Purple, White, and a Mix – beautiful colors on its dark green foliage. As with any Vinca, it is very important to water sparingly and try not to wet the foliage. It’s also available in a trailing form, Cora Cascade (a trademarked name), that is ideal for hanging baskets. His species grows 6 – 8 inches high and spreads 32 – 36 inches wide.
The flowers are evenly distributed and slightly larger than most other vincas. In a basket, this plant will trail up to 3 feet, “setting blooms every inch of the way.”
It’s available in Magenta, Lilac, Peach Blush, and Polka Dot. Google Vinca Cora for seed sources. If you prefer to buy bedding plants, check the identification of the vinca to be sure it’s Cora as big box stores tend to order nationwide and may not carry this species. You might have to go to a local nursery like Grimsells, but if you’ve had difficulty with vinca in the past as I have, it’s well worth the trip.
Learning about Vinca Cora led me to the Texas Superstars of which it is a new member. This group of plants was high on the list of plants to cover when these articles began almost 4 years ago, but we haven’t done much about them lately.
To refresh your memory, Texas Superstars are plants chosen for their hardiness and beauty. They’re proven winners in our climates and have been tested all over the state by horticulturists associated with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension and Texas A&M Agrilife Research.
Go to www.texassuperstars.com to find an illustrated plant list, information on the selection process, articles about various plants (in the Press Room section), wholesalers and retailers by areas, and access to both a hardiness zone map for Texas and a brochure in PDF form.
This list of strong and stunning plants is a treasure trove for gardeners all over the state and its ready access a real boon to us backyard gardeners.
SOURCES:www.parkseed.com
