Vinca
Periwinkle, Trailing myrtle
- Height × spread
- 0.2m – 0.4m × 0.3m – 1m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Generally available in Spring
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An attractive low growing plant, plant as ground cover below border plants. Hardy and unfussy, it's also useful for covering bare spots in difficult dry places, like banks or slopes. In spring simple but elegant white or blue blooms appear, nestled amongst shiny green foliage, spreading outwards on long runners. Some forms are variegated in cream or yellow. Just 20cm-40cm tall, it spreads to 1m.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Purple, Violet, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, White, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome, Prostrate
- Height
- 0.2m – 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Seaside garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- All conditions
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Ground cover, Rabbit resistant
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Prune hard
Cut to near ground in summer as this will encourage fresh, clean-looking foliage to grow from an invigorated plant.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Vinca
Vinca major 'Variegata'
Greater periwinkle, Band plant, Running myrtle, Large periwinkle, Band plant
Vinca major 'Wojos Jem'
Greater periwinkle, Large periwinkle
Vinca minor
Lesser periwinkle, Lesser creeping myrtle, Common perwinkle
Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'
Lesser periwinkle, Lesser creeping myrtle, Common perwinkle
Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Lesser periwinkle, Lesser creeping myrtle, Common perwinkle
Vinca minor 'Illumination'
Lesser periwinkle, Lesser creeping myrtle, Common perwinkle
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert'
Lesser periwinkle, Common periwinkle
Vinca minor f. alba
Lesser periwinkle, Lesser creeping myrtle, Common perwinkle