Sun-loving vincas (Catharanthus) are annual periwinkles. This may confuse gardeners who also grow perennial periwinkles (Vinca spp.) that are grow in shady groundcovers.

New from Proven Winners (PW)!! Soiree Kawaii® series of vincas (C. roseus) are bred by Suntory and entered the market around three years ago. I highly recommend that you include them to your list of summer flowering bedding plant.

The name Soiree Ka·wa·i·i means “cute” in Japanese to describe the adorable flower size and shape.  Compared to most vincas, petals are dissected and offer a finer floral texture in garden beds and containers. Their bright, attractive flower petals are irresistible to pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies.  These micro-blooming vincas grow compact and spreading, and are exceptionally floriferous.

Look for plants to arrive in mid-South garden centers in late April. Plant them into your garden after garden soil temps have risen above 55 °F and the frost danger has passed. Enjoy continuous bloom thru the early non-killing frosts in autumn. Don’t wait a day. Plant them in garden beds and landscape containers and watch flower numbers explode almost within the first week.

Soiree Kawaii vincas perform best in well-drained, humus-rich garden soils and in containers. One caveat: vinca plants despise soggy wet cool soils. Fertilize plantings every 4-6 weeks with a water-soluble product like Miracle Gro® or Peters®. Mulch beds and irrigate over long dry spells. Plants bloom non-stop during the hot humid days of summer.

Soiree Kawaii vincas are valued for their neat mound-like form (6-10 inches tall / 12-18 inches wide). Their glossy dark green leaves make flower colors pop. Even more impressive is how nicely the plants fill out beds and containers, including window boxes and hanging baskets. Pinching is rarely needed.

Currently, six colorful varieties in these compact growing vincas are available.  Soiree Kawaii come in white, pink, coral, lavender, peppermint, and red shades. My personal favorites so far are Peppermint® and Blueberry Kiss®. 

Modern day vincas exhibit improved disease resistance compared to olden varieties that your mother once grew.