Vivid combinations are not to everyone’s taste but sometimes jewels tones can be eye catching and pleasing. Here, vivid pink vinca is combines with electric blue verberna ‘Homestead Purple’. The verberna starts blooming early while the vinca is just getting established. As the warm weather arrives the vince really gets going and forms large clumps while the verbena is spreading through the flowering branches. You have color from verbena in spring, from the combination all summer, and the in the fall from the vinca. Both plants do well in full sun and moderately dry, well-drained soil.
Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
Pick up any hot-pink vinca you can find in your local big box store or nursery such as ‘Hot Rose’. They usually can be found easily during the late spring in six packs and are very inexpensive. Vinca is a heat-loving, sun-living, annual that has high humidity tolerance can be used in a container or bed equally well. Beware of root rot, however, because plants can survive overwatering.
Bloom Time: June to front
Size: 6-30”H x 12-24” W
Hardiness: Not applicable; annual
Verbena ‘Homestead Purple”
Verbenas are best known as annuals but this one a perennial, although short-lived. They spread quickly to cover a large area, rooting as new shoots touch the ground. Some will come back, others won’t. Plants in 6’ pots can be purchased in bloom during the spring and transplant well. Just remember, they spread quickly to three feet so you don’t need to buy many to cover a lot of ground.
Bloom Time: June through summer, sometimes longer
Size: 1’ H x 3’ W
Hardiness: Zones 7-10