Move Over Pentas.......Vinca Is Back!!

Move Over Pentas…….Vinca is Back!! 

     

Vinca Cora Cascade 'Cherry Red'  (Venetian/Palazzo)

The use of Vinca or Periwinkle as a summer annual in the Las Vegas Valley has declined significantly over the past 20 years.  Most recently, the use of Vinca has been limited to residential landscapes with very little use in commercial applications.  The reason for the decline has been the plant’s susceptibility to 'Aerial Phytophthora’ also known as ‘sudden death’ disease. 

Vinca Cora 'White'
(Venetian/Palazzo)

Aerial Phytophthora is a soil-borne fungus that is often referred to as a water mold since it is most often associated with wet poorly drained soils.  The fungus  produces zoospores from sporangia that swim in water films or may be splashed from the soil surface to plant foliage where initial infection occurs.  The disease causes the leaves to collapse as it progresses down the petiole to the stem (node) where it kills the tissue producing a sunken lesion, followed by the stem also collapsing.  Symptoms of collapsed leaves are evident in a few days of infection with loss of the entire plant within one to two weeks.  Due to difficulty of control, which usually involved fungicide applications (foliar/drench), crop rotation, etc. and the increased availability of new warm season annuals including Pentas, Vinca quickly lost its popularity. 

Vinca Cora 'Burgundy'

The loss of Vinca from Las Vegas summer landscapes was huge!  This was a plant that could thrive in heat while producing almost a tropical effect with its dense dark green glossy foliage and masses of long term blooms of a wide variety of colors.  However, this summer the homeowner will see a new Vinca, one that has undergone a new makeover.  The new plant will be called Vinca ‘Cora’ and will be Phytophthora resistant!

Vinca ‘Cora’ is a new series F1 hybrid developed by Goldsmith Seeds and has taken over twenty years to develop.  Eight colors are available including Apricot, Burgundy, Deep Lavender, Lavender, Pink, Punch, Violet, and White.  Mature plants reach 14-16 inches in height with a 22-25 inch spread.  Vinca ‘Cora’ has been used commercially for a couple of years, including at the Venetian Palazzo Resort, starting in the summer of 2009 where it proved to be a huge success.  Up until now the availability of Vinca ‘Cora’ has been somewhat limited to the homeowner.    

Vinca Cora 'Deep Lavender'

In addition to the standard Vinca ‘Cora’ Goldsmith Seeds has also developed Vinca ‘Cora’ Cascade!  This has proven to be a wonderful flowering plant for hanging baskets, pots, or anywhere bright colored flowers in a cascading form in high heat environments is desired.  New colors include Lilac, Magenta, Peach Blush, Polka Dot, and Cherry Red.  Cherry Red proved to be an exceptional performer at the Venetian/Palazzo Resort.   

Watch for these great new Vincas late spring early summer in your local nursery and garden centers.