Catharanthus roseus (Albus Group) 'Pretty in Pink'

RHS Plant Profile

Madagascar periwinkle 'Pretty in Pink'

Herbaceous Perennial

A frost tender, sprawling, herbaceous perennial or sub-shrub growing from 30-100cm in height. The dark green leathery leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The attractive five petalled flowers are a deep magenta pink. Cut stems exude a white latex, which like many other plants in the Apocynaceae family, is highly toxic

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: All parts of the plants are highly toxic, including the sap. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
Genus: Catharanthus can be annuals or perennials with simple, paired leaves and solitary or clustered, 5-petalled flowers at the branch tips
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Of easy cultivation, requiring a well drained, but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Prefers growing temperatures around 25C with high humidity

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers at 22-25C and kept in the dark until germination, or from semi-ripe tip cuttings in summer and autumn and inserted into a light well drained compost,

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot in poorly drained soils