Soiree® Kawaii Red Shades Vinca Catharanthus roseus 'Soiree Kawai Red Shades' Height: 10 inches Spread: 18 inches
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Hardiness Zone: (annual) Other Names: Periwinkle, Vinca Vine Group/Class: Soiree Series Brand: Suntory Description: A stunning selection featuring bright shades of red varying from scarlet to rose, over contrasting glossy green foliage; this mounded variety is ideal for patio containers, hanging baskets and garden landscapes; heat and drought tolerant Ornamental Features Soiree® Kawaii Red Shades Vinca features showy red star-shaped flowers with rose overtones and cherry red eyes at the ends of the stems from late spring to mid fall. Its glossy oval leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year. Landscape Attributes Soiree® Kawaii Red Shades Vinca is a dense herbaceous annual with a trailing habit of growth, eventually spilling over the edges of hanging baskets and containers. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Soiree® Kawaii Red Shades Vinca is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Soiree® Kawaii Red Shades Vinca will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat. This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation. Soiree® Kawaii Red Shades Vinca is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. Because of its trailing habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
