Catharanthus roseus - Madagascar Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus is a small, upright shrub prized for its shiny green leaves and delicate looking flowers. The glossy oval leaves are 2-5cm (0.8-2 inch) long, have a white centre vein and are borne in opposite pairs on slender stems. One or more flowers are produced at the stem tips throughout a flowering period that generally lasts from mid-spring to early autumn. Each flower has a 1cm (0.4 inch) long tube flattened out into five lance-shaped petals at the month, which is up to 4cm (1.5 inch) wide. Flower colour is usually soft rose-pink or occasionally, mauve.
  • Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don
  • Common names:Madagascar Periwinkle, Jasmine, Cayenne Old Maid Periwinkle
  • Synonyms:Vinca rosea, Pervinca rosea, Lochnera rosea, Ammocallis rosea
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Species: C. roseus
  • Genus: Catharanthus

Origin:
Catharanthus roseus is native and endemic to Madagascar.

Hardiness:
USDA hardiness 9-12
source pic: pinterest.com


 How to Grow and Care

This plant is fairly easy to grow, providing you water it carefully and keep it warm in winter. When old plants stop flowering well, raise new ones from cuttings or seed and discard the parent plant.

 Potting: In early spring, repot into soil-based compost. Cutting back stems by about two-thirds will give a bushy plant, but may delay flowering until autumn.
Water sparingly all year round, giving just enough to barely moisten the compost. Increase watering slightly in hot weather if leaves begin to dry up and curl.
Feeding: Feed every fourteen days from early spring until autumn with a general liquid fertilizer.

 Light: Madagascar Periwinkle thrives in warmth and direct sunlight, so a south-facing windowsill is ideal. In winter, move it away from the glass, but give it the lightest possible place you can.
Temperature: In summer, this plant will flourish in high temperatures. Don’t let the temperature fall below 18°C (65°F) during winter...- Learn more at  HOW TO GROW CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS   

Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot Cooler Improved'
  •  'Aztec Pink Magic'
  • 'Blue Pearl' 
  • 'Cascade Beauty White'
  • 'Cooler Icy Pink'
  • 'Cooler Orchid'
  • 'Cooler Peppermint'
  • 'Experimental Dee'
  • 'Mediterranean Lilac'
  • 'Mediterranean XP Cherry Halo'
  • 'Mediterranean XP Rose Halo'
  • 'Nirvana Pink Blush'
  • 'Nirvana Red'
  • 'Nirvana Sky Blue'
  • 'Nirvana Violet'
  • 'Pacifica White'
  • 'Sunshower Lilac'
  • 'Titian Icy Pink'


Links
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