Madagascar Periwinkle Mediterranean XP Mix - Catharanthus roseus

The 'Mediterranean Mix' XP Periwinkles are wonderful tender perennial plants, descended from Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as Madagascar Periwinkle or Vinca rosea. They are evergreen plants with shiny green foliage, with a branching and trailing habit, most often grown as annuals in our climate. They bloom from late spring to late summer, producing flowers resembling those of oleanders, combining white, pink, and red, on solid or bicolored flowers. Fast-growing, low-water-demanding, and heat-resistant, these plants transform hanging baskets and planters into blooming baskets, overflowing with whimsy and freshness. They are also good plants for the conservatory.

Madagascar Periwinkle is a plant in the Apocynaceae family, related to the perennial and hardy periwinkles we cultivate in our gardens. This rather slender perennial is endemic to Madagascar, where it grows up to 1800 meters (5905.5 feet) above sea level. This Catharanthus roseus is the origin of many cultivars with a much more compact habit and larger, brightly colored flowers. The plants in the 'Mediterranean Mix XP' blend form mounds of leafy stems reaching a height of 10 to 15 cm (3.9 - 5.9 in) in one season, with a spread of 50 to 75 cm (19.7 - 29.5 in). Their rather fleshy and well-branched stems bear ovate and entire evergreen leaves, 5 to 7 cm (2 - 2.8 in) long, of a glossy medium green. The flowers appear in the axils of the leaves, usually in the upper part of the stems, mainly from spring to late summer, but all year round in hot climates. Each flower has a short tube that opens into a wide corolla, 4 to 5 cm (1.6 - 2 in) in diameter, formed by 5 flat ray florets, forming a very regular star. Depending on the plants, the flowers are either bicoloured or solid. The solid colours are pure white, bright pink, and scarlet red, while the bicoloured flowers have a central zone contrasting with the rest of the corolla; they are associated with scarlet red with white center, bright pink with white center, pale pink with red center, or white with pink center.

The 'Mediterranean Mix' XP periwinkles, forming cascades of flowers, are fabulous plants for hanging baskets and flower pots, just like calibrachoas and surfinias. They are, however, less commonly used in summer compositions, although they are heat-tolerant, more frugal, and low-water-demanding. They can be used alone or, for example, combined in a large pot with Dichondra Silver Falls, bacopas, placed around an upright-scented geranium (Pelargonium cucullatum, Pelargonium quercifolium). They are also very pretty bedding plants, which go well with mauve wallflowers (Erysimum "Bowles Mauve") or blue lavatera (Lavatera "Blue Bird").

Note: All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids, from which effective molecules have been derived for the treatment of leukemia.

Note: Please be aware that our young plants in mini pots are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (conservatory, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C for a few weeks before being planted outdoors once all risk of frost has passed.