Alphabetical Plant Listing

Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

Lesser Periwinkle, Dwarf Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle


Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) is a vigorous, evergreen mat-forming perennial with glossy dark green leaves and large lavender blue flowers from mid-spring to early summer. Borne over a long period, they continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall and are valuable for enlivening dark areas. The long, trailing stems root at the nodes as they go along the ground to form a dense carpet of rich foliage. Excellent for suppressing weeds, this vigorous periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used groundcovers.

  • Forms a mat up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm). Plant 8 in. apart (20 cm) for quick cover of smaller areas. Plant 12-18 in. apart (30-45 cm) to cover large areas.
  • Thrives in full sun to part shade in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates close to full shade but flowers best in full sun. Dry soil and drought tolerant.
  • Excellent choice as a groundcover, for banks and slopes (to prevent erosion) or underplanting shrubs. Good cover for bulbs too!
  • A hardy, low-maintenance and forgiving groundcover, it is also deer resistant
  • No serious pest or disease issues. May be subject to aphids or rust.
  • Propagate by division in spring or autumn and by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
  • Vinca minor species is native to Europe and Asia.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Periwinkle: Plant Care and Growing Guide

Unleash the power of periwinkle in your garden with these easy-growing tips!Read More

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 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 Perennials
Plant Family Vinca - Periwinkle
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Spread 6" – 2' (15cm – 60cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Vinca - Periwinkle

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Gunera, Flickr, Kluciar Ivan/Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 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 Perennials
Plant Family Vinca - Periwinkle
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4" – 6" (10cm – 15cm)
Spread 6" – 2' (15cm – 60cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Vinca - Periwinkle

Guides with Vinca - Periwinkle

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