Overview
Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' is a bushy bedding in the genus Catharanthus, part of the Apocynaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1C. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, mediterranean climate plants, underplanting of roses and shrubs, flower borders and beds, garden edging and ground cover.
About
Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' is a bushy evergreen cultivar of the Catharanthus genus, which includes annual or perennial plants with simple, opposite leaves and five-petalled flowers. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered, south- or east-facing aspects. It grows well in fertile, moist but well-drained soils including chalk, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels. Suitable for a variety of garden settings such as city courtyards, cottage gardens, gravel gardens, and patios, it is valued for its summer and autumn interest. Propagation is typically by seed sown in early spring or by cuttings taken in late spring or summer.
About the genus
Catharanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. Like the genus Vinca, they are known commonly as periwinkles. It is a perennial herb and a subshrub endemic to Madagascar, with the exception of Catharanthus pusillus, which is found in India and Sri Lanka.
Wikipedia contributors, "Catharanthus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Catharanthus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Catharanthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained,Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White'
- Propagation
- Seed sown in early spring at 13 to 18°C,Softwood cuttings in late spring,Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse whitefly,Glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White'?
Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' need?
Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' hardy in the UK?
Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White' has an RHS hardiness rating of H1c, meaning it needs a warm, frost-free position of 5–10°C and is best grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Catharanthus 'Heat Wave White'?
Seed sown in early spring at 13 to 18°C,Softwood cuttings in late spring,Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.