Vinca Tattoo series
* Common name: Vinca Tattoo series
Vinca Tattoo Papaya.
* Botanical name: Catharanthus roseus
* What it is: A new, high-performing series of annual vincas that have nickel-sized flowers that appear to be air-brushed bicolors. They come in four versions (Papaya, Tangerine, Raspberry, and Black Cherry), have good disease-resistance, are seldom eaten by animals, and like all vincas, are very heat and drought-tough.
* Size: 10 to 14 inches tall, space 1 foot apart.
* Where to use: Your hottest, sunniest garden beds, such as southern or western foundations, in open full-sun beds, and along sunny driveways and sidewalks. Full sun to light shade is best. These also grow well in sunny pots.
* Care: Plant out after danger of frost passes in spring (mid-May or after). Keep damp the first few weeks, then water needed only in extended dry spells. Work compost and timed-release flower fertilizer into soil at planting. Supplemental liquid flower fertilizer every month or so throughout the growing season maximizes bloom but isn’t required. Yank and compost when they die at fall’s first frost.
In pots and baskets, water daily when it doesn’t rain, and fertilize with a half-strength flower fertilizer every week or two.
* Great partner: All four colors pair well with any green- or gold-foliage evergreen, such as juniper, Hinoki cypress, holly, boxwood, or birds nest spruce. They also like similar conditions as roses… just try to coordinate the vinca colors with the particular rose blooms.