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Vinca minor f. alba (Lesser Periwinkle)

Small White Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle 'Alba', Vinca minor 'Alba'

minor f. alba, Small White Periwinkle, Vinca minor 'Alba', Evergreen perennial, evergreen groundcover, Shade perennials

Mat forming, Vinca minor f. alba (Lesser Periwinkle) is a prostrate evergreen perennial with long trailing stems clothed with neat, ovate, dark green leaves. The stems root at the nodes as they go along the ground to form a dense carpet of lustrous foliage. Blooming from spring to early fall, 5-petaled, single, pure white flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), emerge above the foliage. Borne over a long period, they contrast well against the foliage and are valuable for enlivening dark areas.

  • Forms a mat up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).
  • 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 or underplanting shrubs. Good cover for bulbs too!
  • A hardy, low-maintenance and forgiving groundcover, it is also deer and rabbit 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!

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 Apocynaceae
Genus Vinca
Common names Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle
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 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low, Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle)
Vinca major (Big Periwinkle)
Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)
Vinca minor ‘Ralph Shugert’ (Lesser Periwinkle)
Vinca minor ‘Illumination’ (Lesser Periwinkle)
Vinca major ‘Variegata’ (Big Periwinkle)

Recommended Companion Plants

Blechnum spicant (Hard Fern)
Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)
Asarum europaeum (European Wild Ginger)
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Best Foliage Plants for Your Garden
Native Plant Alternatives to Vinca major (Big Periwinkle)
Native Plant Alternatives to Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)
Periwinkle: Plant Care and Growing Guide
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.
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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 Apocynaceae
Genus Vinca
Common names Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle
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 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low, Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Vinca (Periwinkle)
Guides with
Vinca (Periwinkle)
Not sure which Vinca (Periwinkle) to pick?
Compare Now

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