Tattoo Black Cherry Upright Vinca (Catharanthus roseus 'Tattoo Black Cherry')
kath-ar-AN-thus ROSE-ee-us 'Tattoo Black Cherry'

Annual (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Mounded in the Apocynaceae Family
An upright, well-branched annual vinca whose dark pink-purple blooms are brushed with black for a striking tattoo-like pattern.

Tattoo Black Cherry Catharanthus is covered in dark pink-purple blooms brushed with soft strokes of black, giving each flower a distinctive, tattoo-like pattern. Its upright, well-branched, mounded habit and very low water needs make it an easy-care, floriferous choice for hot, sunny spots.

Pros

  • Distinctive dark pink-purple blooms with black brushstroke markings
  • Compact, well-branched, uniform habit
  • Very low water needs once established
  • Deer and rabbit resistant

Cons

  • Dislikes cool, wet spring soil -- wait until it's warm to plant
  • Flower color contrast fades in very high heat
  • All plant parts are toxic if ingested
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights Part of the Tattoo series, known for its compact, upright-mounded habit and distinctively brush-stroked petals that set it apart from solid-colored vinca.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 18 inches tall. 6 - 8 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual, Annual in Chicago, Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Fast Growth Rate, Filler, Full Sun, Good for Butterfly Garden, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Potentially Toxic, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Tender Perennial
Bloom Period June to frost
Flower Color Dark Pink-Purple with Black Brushstrokes

Photos of This with...

Mega Bloom White Vinca, Tattoo Papaya Upright Vinca
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 06/22
2024 : 02/08 - 07/06
2023 : 03/02 - 07/08

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!