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CATHARANTHUS roseus (CORA® APRICOT)

Image of Catharanthus roseus (CORA® APRICOT, CORA® SERIES)

James Burghardt

Family

Apocynaceae

Botanical Name

CATHARANTHUS roseus( CORA® APRICOT, CORA® SERIES)

Plant Common Name

Cora® Apricot Vinca, Madagascar Periwinkle, Vinca

General Description

Palest apricot blooms with rose-pink eyes grace Cora® Apricot. Beauty and high disease resistance make the Cora Series extra desirable. In addition to being resistant to fungal blight, a disease which occurs under more humid, moist growing conditions, it is heat and drought tolerant and offers bountiful flowers in lots of bright shades. Madagascar periwinkle is a compact, tropical evergreen shrub from Madagascar, an island off the eastern coast of Africa. Though perennial, it is commonly grown as an annual in temperate climates. Throughout the season its slender branches are lined with pairs of small, elliptical leaves that are lustrous and deep green with lighter central veins. Showy, radial, five-petaled flowers of red, pink, magenta, purple or white appear through the growing season. Some have a white or red blotch in the center called an “eye” or a ring around the center called a “halo.” Butterflies are attracted to the flowers, so expect visits from these fine, fluttery creatures.

Full to partial sun is needed for best growth and flowering. Madagascar periwinkle will thrive in poor soils and marginal areas but also grows well in fertile, well-drained garden loam. Poorly-drained, heavy soils should be avoided at all costs as they typically cause root rot. Deadheading is not required for rebloom. Plants are known to self-sow, and known to become invasive in tropical and subtropical areas. Exceptional salt and wind tolerance makes this a good choice for Ocean or seaside gardens.

Plant this tough ornamental in sunny beds and borders or containers. In tropical regions, where it will become a mounded, semi-woody shrub, it can be planted in mixed borders or as a foundation plant.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    14"-16" / 35.6cm - 40.6cm

  • Width

    18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Madagascar

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Light Pink, Rose, Peach

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Foundation, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes