The Vibrant Vincas -- And Their Friend Angelonia

The last check on the containers showed that the vincas were doing great.  Most folks know about vincas -- those tough summer annuals that can withstand all the heat and drought you can throw at them.  In fact, they don't really strut their stuff until it is hot.  So anyway, I had to share with you what the containers around the Town Park look like after two months of growth.  

For the center piece I had left the Rosemary 'Barbeque' from the winter arrangements.  Unfortunately, not all of them put out new growth in the spring so you'll see a few brown branches and skimpy growth, but please look past that. Normally this variety of rosemary will nearly take over a spot, turning into a small shrub, so I'm not sure why some of these decided not to play with their friends this year. 

But let's check out some of my favorite vinca colors.

The variety that I used -- and always use -- is the Cora series.  They have proven themselves over the years to be strong, disease resistant and to produce mountains of blooms.  One thing I can say about the producers of the Cora series is that they didn't spend much time naming these guys.  This one is Vinca Cora 'Pink'.  Makes it pretty easy to ask for it at your local nursery.

Notice also that in every container I used Angelonia Serena 'White' or 'Purple' for a contrasting color and to bridge the area between the vinca and the rosemary.  If you haven't used angelonia in your containers or your beds, you have been missing out on another outstanding performer.  You will get continuous blooms all summer with little or no pest or disease problems.

This next variety of vinca is one of my favorites this year....Vinca Cora 'Apricot'.  It has such a fresh look to it.

It looks so good paired with the purple angelonia.  I plan to use this one in more containers next season.

There are eight containers around the Park so I used four different colors of vinca and mixed them with either the white or purple angelonia.  Unfortunately, I didn't seem to get a picture of Vinca Cora 'Burgundy' yet.  But imagine if you will a very deep version of the 'Pink' variety.  It looks great with the white angelonia.

Speaking of white....here is Vinca Cora 'White' mixed with Angelonia Serena 'Purple'.  This combination has a really crisp, neat look to it.

There are other combinations around town using Cora vincas but these are the most concentrated and easiest to find.  

You probably won't find the Cora series at the box stores but you will likely find them at the independent stores.  For locals, you can always be sure to find them at Thomas Orchards Greenhouse & Nursery in Watkinsville.  

Madison Container Gardens - 42 Colorful and Welcoming Spots Throughout the City

Welcome to the wonderful world of container gardens growing here in Madison, Georgia.  There are 42 bright, colorful planters located throughout the city, created for sun or shade and each one a unique design.  This is a great opportunity to check out a variety of plants and watch how they grow -- together and under stressful conditions.  I hope you'll follow along this summer as I journal their stories.

The containers got off to a slow start this season which is why there seems to be a “pink theme” – there wasn’t much left to pick from when I went off to the nurseries for the plants and I needed ones that could withstand drought and heat.  So you will see lots of vinca, lantana, angelonia and salvia in the sunny spots and dragon wing begonia, caladiums and autumn ferns in the shade – they are tried and true soldiers. 

This season I’ve added moisture beads to the soil to see if they will help with the water issue.  So far so good.  The soil has maintained a fairly even level of moisture and the plants are holding for 2-3 days – except for a few that just don’t want to send out their roots from the 4-inch world they had been living in.  Some extra water and a little fertilizer will hopefully bring them along.

As I always do, I also added slow release fertilizer to each container, and after the plants are installed I sprinkle 1% Marathon around them to stave off the aphids, white flies, spider mites and mealy bugs.  Then a good layer of mulch is spread to keep as much moisture in as possible.  With a good choice of plants and a little help from the Garden Gods we are off to a good start.

So let’s check out some of those plants. . . .

Vinca Cora Pink

Full Sun
14-16" tall x 10-12" wide
Performs well in heat

The vincas all love the heat but the Cora series really outshines the rest.  The flowers are larger and there are lots more of them.  Great in containers and in the garden bed. 

These have been doing great in the containers with no transplant shock.  Competing well with its neighbors for space but not crowding anyone out yet.







More pink stuff . . . .well, really magenta



Vinca Cora Cascade Magenta

Full sun to part shade
6-8" tall x 32" wide


Cora Cascade pairs really well with upright Cora White or the white SunPatiens. 

These quickly filled in and started spilling over the edge of the container.






SunPatiens - White

Full Sun - Part Shade
2-3" flower
2' tall and wide

Okay, there is no doubt this is a pretty looking plant - probably more striking than the orange or magenta but it sure does get mad if it doesn't get enough water when it is sitting out in the sun where the other two colors have been more well behaved.  The jury is still out on this one -- maybe after its roots get established it will be happier.



Here's a little pink for the shady areas. . . .

Caladium Pink Gem

Shade or morning light
12-24" tall x 12-16' wide


This plant has produced a continuous set of new leaves without losing the older ones so it makes a full plant quickly.  Color is outstanding in a pot, mixing well with either pink or red.















In this container it is the focal point with red dragon wing begonia and Purple Moon Torenia as its companions.





I'll head back out for more photos tomorrow to share some of the other plants -- a look at the coleus will be good -- at least they won't be pink.