Vinca major, Greater Periwinkle, Vinca minor, Lesser Periwinkle, Myrtle, Creeping Myrtle.
Periwinkle, with its captivating blue or purple flowers and glossy evergreen leaves, is a charming and easy-to-grow plant that adds a touch of beauty to any garden.
Native: Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, which includes other popular plants such as mandevilla and oleander. It is native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and southwestern Asia, but it is now found all over the world. It includes species commonly grown as ornamental plants, such as Vinca minor and Vinca major.
Climate: Vinca is generally hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. Some cultivars may be more cold-tolerant, while others may be more heat-tolerant. In colder climates, it may die back to the ground in winter, but it will usually regrow from the roots in spring.
Plant type: Periwinkle can be evergreen subshrubs or herbaceous perennials.
Culture: Vinca is a versatile plant and can grow well in both sun and shade, although it prefers partial shade. It can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, but in hot summer areas, it prefers shade. It can grow in a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, as long as the soil is well-drained.
Height/spread: Periwinkle grows only 6-24 inches tall (15-60 cm), but it can quickly cover large areas if left unchecked. It spreads by underground stems called rhizomes and can form dense mats of vegetation. While this trait can make it a useful ground cover plant, it can also make it invasive in some areas.
Flowers: The plant produces small, attractive, and long-lasting flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. The flowers are star-shaped with five petals and a bright yellow center.
Blooming season: From spring to frost.
Foliage: The glossy, evergreen leaves are usually 1-2 inches long and opposite in arrangement along the stem. They are elliptical in shape and have a dark green color. Some varieties of vinca have variegated leaves with white or yellow edges. The leaves are a notable feature of the plant and provide an attractive backdrop for the colorful flowers.
Uses: Vinca is often used in landscaping and gardening as a groundcover due to its low maintenance requirements and ability to spread quickly. It is a popular choice for garden borders and rock gardens and is also sometimes grown as an indoor houseplant. Periwinkle is also used in erosion control, as it has a deep root system that helps to stabilize soil on hillsides and slopes. It is also a popular choice for hanging baskets and window boxes, where its trailing stems and bright flowers can be shown off to great effect.
Medicine: Vinca has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and extracts from the plant have been used to treat a range of conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.
Invasiveness: Vinca has the potential to become invasive in some areas. In particular, the variety Vinca minor, also known as common periwinkle, is considered an invasive species in some regions of the United States, where it can outcompete native plants and disrupt ecosystems. It’s important to check with your local authorities to see if Vinca is considered invasive in your area before planting it. If invasive, we have published native plant alternatives to vinca minor and vinca major that may be of interest to you.
Toxicity: Vinca is toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. The plant contains poisonous alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal upset, hallucinations, seizures, and even death in severe cases. It is important to keep the plant out of reach of children and pets and to wear gloves when handling it to avoid skin irritation.
Deer/Rabbit: Deer and rabbits tend to avoid eating vinca, as it contains alkaloids that make it unpalatable to them. However, it is still possible for deer to nibble on vinca if their preferred food sources are scarce.
Vinca major and Vinca minor are two popular species of vinca commonly found in gardens and landscapes. Although both are from the same family, they have some significant differences in terms of their growth habit and appearance.
Vinca minor, also known as lesser periwinkle, typically grows up to 6 inches (15 cm) in height. Its leaves are smaller than Vinca major, typically reaching 1-2 inches long (2-5 cm) and 1/2-1 inch wide (1-2.5 cm). Flowers are purple, blue, or white, depending on the cultivar. They bloom in early spring and sometimes again in the fall. Vinca minor is often used as a ground cover in smaller spaces.
Vinca major, also known as greater periwinkle, is a larger, more aggressive plant that grows up to 24 inches (60 cm) in height. It produces large, dark green leaves that can reach up to 3 inches long (7 cm) and 1 inch wide (2.5 cm). The flowers are 1 to 2 inches across (2-5 cm). They are borne in abundance in early spring and sporadically throughout the summer. This plant is best suited for larger areas and is often used for erosion control.
Hardiness: In terms of hardiness, both Vinca major and Vinca minor are fairly cold-tolerant, but Vinca minor is generally more hardy and can withstand lower temperatures than Vinca major.
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Genus | Vinca |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Ground Covers, Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hanging Baskets, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Periwinkle, or Vinca, can be planted in various locations, including:
When choosing a location to plant periwinkle, ensure it is well-drained and receives adequate sunlight. Although periwinkle prefers partial shade, it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, but in hot summer areas, it prefers shade. Periwinkle thrives in humus-rich soil but tolerates poor soil. It will grow in all but the driest soils
Here are the general steps for planting periwinkle:
Vinca is generally an easy plant to care for, and here are some tips for keeping it healthy:
By following these simple care tips, you can keep your vinca plants healthy and thriving.
Vinca can be propagated in several ways:
Vinca, like many other plants, can be susceptible to various pests and diseases. Some common ones include:
Aphids: These small insects can suck the sap from the leaves and cause the plant to weaken. They can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Leaf spot: This is a fungal disease that causes brown or black spots on the leaves. It can be prevented by keeping the foliage dry and treating it with a fungicide if necessary.
Spider mites: These tiny pests can cause yellowing of the leaves and fine webbing on the plant. They can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Stem blight: This is a fungal disease that can cause the stems to rot and turn black. It can be prevented by ensuring good air circulation around the plants and avoiding overhead watering.
Regular monitoring of the plants, proper watering, and good cultural practices can go a long way in preventing pests and diseases.
Will periwinkle choke out other plants?
Vinca or periwinkle can become invasive and form dense mats, which may choke out other plants. This is especially true in areas where periwinkle is well-suited and there are no natural controls. It’s important to plant periwinkle in areas where its spread can be easily controlled, such as in raised beds or containers.
How to prevent vinca from spreading?
Vinca is a ground cover plant that has a tendency to spread rapidly, making it ideal for areas where you want dense coverage. However, if you want to prevent vinca from spreading, you can take the following steps:
Kluciar Ivan, Shutterstock
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Genus | Vinca |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Ground Covers, Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hanging Baskets, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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