Wojo’s Jem Vinca – Extraordinary Spiller Plant No Matter the Season

You may be thinking about designing mixed containers for the holidays or the winter season ahead and when you do, you need to remember the name Wojo’s Jem. This is an exceptional variegated vinca that gives and incredible performance as a spiller plant.

When we give you the recipe of Thriller Filler and Spiller or Tall Small and Fall, I think sometimes we give too much credence to the thriller plant and let the filler be-treated as an afterthought.

It seems like it was only yesterday that the word vinca brought to mind the Madagascar periwinkle, now known botanically as Catharanthus. Wojo’s Jem is a variety of Vinca maculata or greater periwinkle that we can use as a ground cover. Now we look at the Wojo’s Jem as a hot, new plant for large, mixed containers.

Wojo's Jem offers the gardener great creamy-gold and green variegation on a vigorous groundcover or vining plant that will hang gracefully from a basket or cascade over the rim of a mixed container.

In holiday mixed containers, combine them with colorful, blooming Christmas flowers like cyclamen and holly fern. First, place larger plants in the middle of the container; then proceed outward, saving the vinca for an almost pocket planting.

In a hanging basket, do much the same. If using sphagnum moss-lined baskets, you actually will plant in the bottom of the basket, letting the foliage hang down. Hang the basket high enough to create a great vertical element, with the vinca growing downward 3 feet or more.

As spring rolls around lucky is the gardener that has window boxes. You, could not ask for a better cascading plant. Wojo’s Jem and Rockapulco double impatiens is a match made in gardening heaven.

In these containers, use a light, airy mix that drains well yet does have a good moisture- and nutrient-holding capacity. Heavy potting soil is not a good buy.

Necessary daily watering during the summer months means more frequent feeding also will be needed. Use Proven Winners controlled-release granules or Proven Winners water soluble fertilizer per label instructions for a long and glorious garden season.

Wojo's Jem makes great groundcover plantings. Filtered light seems to give the best performance, although morning sun and afternoon shade also are quite acceptable. Space them 8 to 12 inches apart.

It responds well to cutting back when too large for a container or to increase branching. In the landscape, pay attention to moisture as they are getting established. Once established, they are fairly drought tolerant.

This is a great choice as groundcover under trees where roots have grown above the soil surface. They are cold hardy through zone 7 with many gardeners touting them as returning in zone 6 as well.

I have raved about the boldly variegated foliage, but also note that they will occasionally produce almost iridescent blue-violet flowers. This is a wonderful combination with the variegated leaves.

It’s time to design your Holiday containers so plan a visit to your garden center. Remember to pick up some Wojo’s Jem vinca for the artistic touch to your designer containers no matter the season. Follow me on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGradenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration.