Catharanthus roseus 'Cora'
Ramgoat rose, Madagascar periwinkle, Old maid, Rosy periwinkle
Also known as Vinca rosea 'Cora', Catharanthus 'Cora'
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A showy form of the Madagascar periwinkle that has good disease resistance. The Cora range comes in white to lavender and red to burgundy shades. The flowers are rounded with overlapping, velvety petals and a small white eye at the centre. The leaves are long, lustrous and green. Suited to either a container or the garden, with a good season of summer flowering. This range are F1 hybrids which means they don't set seed. Catharanthus roseus forms are invasive in warmer parts of the world such as Hawaii and California.
- Flower colour
- Lavender, Purple, Red, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Bedding plant
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION toxic if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring · Planting
Repot yearly
Repot yearly if grown in a pot. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes. Some of the old compost can be shaken away, but don't disturb the roots too much.
Be careful to ensure the roots are spread out in the new pot, and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and make sure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.