Catharanthus roseus Titan F1 Lavender Blue Halo - Madagascar periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus Titan F1 Lavender Blue Halo belongs to a line of hybrids derived from C. roseus or Vinca rosea, selected for their particularly large flowers in various colours, their early-blooming, and their excellent performance in both garden and pot. Fast-growing, water-efficient, and heat-resistant, Titan F1 periwinkles transform planters into flower baskets. Use their gorgeous blooms to create ephemeral beds overflowing with fantasy and freshness. This variety bears large mauve lavender and white flowers.

The Titan F1 Lavender Blue Halo periwinkle belongs to the Apocynaceae family, related to the perennial and hardy periwinkles we cultivate in our gardens. It is a tender perennial plant, grown as an annual in our climates. Its ancestor is endemic to Madagascar, where it grows up to 1800m (5905ft) above sea level. Catharanthus roseus is the origin of many cultivars with a much more compact habit and larger, brightly coloured flowers. The Titan F1 periwinkle forms a clump of leafy stems reaching about 35cm (14in) in height and spreading 30cm (12in) in one season. The rather fleshy and well-branched stems bear evergreen oval and entire leaves, 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) long, with a glossy medium green colour. The flowers of this Lavender Blue Halo variety appear in the axils of the leaves, usually in the upper part of the stems, from May-June to October. Each flower has a short tube that opens into a 6cm (2in) wide corolla, composed of 5 flat ray florets in mauve-lavender with a white base. The small centre of the flower is yellow-golden. The well-developed root system of the Titan F1 periwinkle helps the plants to adapt quickly and durably in flower beds.

Titan F1 periwinkles are fabulous plants for flowering pots, just like calibrachoas and surfinias. However, they are less commonly used in summer compositions, even though they are heat-tolerant, much less demanding, and frugal in terms of water. They can be used in a mix of colours, or combined in a large pot with Dichondra 'Silver Falls', bacopas, pelargoniums, and angelonias. They are also excellent plants for flower beds, accompanying wallflowers, cineraria maritime, Pennisetum Rubrum, and more.

Attention! All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids, from which effective molecules have been derived for the treatment of leukaemia.

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, repot and store them in sheltered areas (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.