Catharanthus roseusMadagascar Periwinkle

Few bedding plants take Gulf summer heat the way Catharanthus roseus does. The Madagascar Periwinkle is a compact evergreen perennial of 0.3 to 0.6 metres, carrying five-petalled flowers in white, pink, magenta and red almost continuously while the weather stays warm.

It is the standard choice for roundabouts, median strips and mass bedding in hot climates, holding colour on modest irrigation where softer annuals collapse.

Specifications

• Height0.3 to 0.6 metres
• Width0.3 to 0.5 metres
• Native toMadagascar
• FoliageGlossy dark green oval leaves on branching stems; evergreen in warm climates
• Growth rateFast

Conditions

• SoilRequires free-draining soil and resents wet feet
• LightFull sun
• WaterLow; drought-tolerant once established
• ClimateThrives in tropical, subtropical and hot arid regions; frost tender

Additional Features

• FlowersFive-petalled flowers in white, pink, magenta and red, near-continuous in warm weather
• UsesIdeal for mass bedding, roundabouts, median strips, borders and containers
• SpacingPlant 0.25 to 0.35 metres apart for a solid block of colour
• Low MaintenanceNo deadheading required; shear lightly to refresh the planting
• Pest ResistanceGenerally sound; avoid overwatering, which invites root disease
• Drought ToleranceFlowers well on restrained irrigation and dislikes saturated soil
• ToxicityAll parts are toxic if ingested
• VersatilityPerforms in ground beds, raised planters and containers in full sun

The Madagascar Periwinkle is the hardest-working summer bedding plant available to a hot-climate scheme.