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Vinca minor ‘Ralph Shugert’ (Lesser Periwinkle)

Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert', Lesser Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert', Dwarf Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert', Creeping Myrtle 'Ralph Shugert'

AGM Award
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert', Lesser Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert', Dwarf Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert', Creeping Myrtle 'Ralph Shugert', Evergreen perennial, evergreen groundcover, Shade perennials, Plants for shade, Blue Vinca, Blue Flowers

Award-winning Vinca minor ‘Ralph Shugert’ (Lesser Periwinkle) is an evergreen, trailing shrub with glossy dark green leaves adorned with narrow white edges, and large, bright violet-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 variegated periwinkle is not as aggressive as the species.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Forms a mat up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 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 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, Shrubs
Plant Family Apocynaceae
Genus Vinca
Common names Lesser Periwinkle, 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 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, 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 Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden, 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 f. alba (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

Flowers and Herbs for a Rock Garden
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, Shrubs
Plant Family Apocynaceae
Genus Vinca
Common names Lesser Periwinkle, 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 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 8" (20cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, 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 Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden, 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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