Periwinkle - Vinca

More information about evergreen periwinkle

An evergreen plant such as periwinkle not only scores points with its shiny dark green foliage but also with its enchanting, five-fold individual flowers, which often adorn the semi-shrub until late summer. The periwinkle combines all the positive characteristics that ground covers have to offer: the formation of dense mats provides the soil with optimum shade so that unwanted weeds have no chance.

In the Lubera® Garden Shop, you will find two representatives of the Vinca genus - both species provide excellent ground cover qualities: the small periwinkle (lesser periwinkle, Vinca minor) grows to a height of about 15 centimetres and shows a beautiful second fowering in autumn, whereas the large type (greater periwinkle, Vinca major) reaches about twice the height of its little sister and develops a stronger growth overall.

Take a look at our Lubera assortment - we have put together attractive evergreen varieties for you, which shine with rich flower colours and also have decorative foliage. With a periwinkle, you can wonderfully combine the concept of "easy gardening" with decorative aspects!

Buy periwinkle - lush flower carpets in blue, purple or white

Choose your evergreen favourite from our large selection or combine different coloured varieties for cheerful ground cover accents:

• 'Alba', with its pure white flowers, provides a bright spot of colour in shadier areas; 
• 'Atropurpurea' inspires with its beautiful purple-red flowers;
• 'Austria' forms a colourful cushion of numerous, white and red-violet flowers and
• 'Ralph Shugert' has, besides its blue-violet flowers, particularly attractive, variegated leaves.

Special features

In the deciduous forests of Central Europe, both the large and the small periwinkles can be found. Both belong to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). As the name suggests, the semi-shrubs retain their leathery, egg-shaped to lanceolate leaves throughout the year. Due to their long runners (stolons), the plants quickly conquer larger areas. At the beginning, they grow upright and arching, then they lie down in clusters. Because of its low height, this plant is often treated like a perennial, although its shoot base is woody. Breeding has produced interesting varieties of both species.

It is important to know that all parts are slightly poisonous, but this does not diminish its popularity among gardeners. In folk medicine, various healing effects were attributed to it in the past. It was also used to tie wreaths at weddings or dance parties.

Use as ground cover

When you buy this plant, you have a wide range of uses. The plants can be used for the following:

• Beautify slopes and embankments and protect them from erosion
• Underplant larger woody plants with a light crown (Vinca can tolerate shade, but often does not grow sufficiently dense there)
• Decorate narrow strips of planting near a house or pond
• Use for planting graves

You should always plant with care, as the periwinkle develops a great tendency to spread over time and is also happy to take over uncontrolled garden areas that are intended for other purposes.

The right location

On humus-rich and loose soils, these robust ground covers also green large areas quite quickly and form dense mats. The optimum location for this plant is on fresh and well-drained soil in a sunny to semi-shady location. You should loosen compacted soil beforehand. Sandy soil should be enriched with compost. The location can be acidic to slightly alkaline.

Planting

In order to achieve good rooting by winter, the ideal planting time is in the spring. For an optimal nutrient supply, you can work horn shavings or compost into the planting holes. If possible, remove any existing "weeds" completely before planting.

Large-leaved types

Plant five to seven plants in an area of one square metre. Keep a distance of 30 to 40 centimetres between the plants, as Vinca major sprouts strongly.

Small types

Seven to twelve plants per square metre are recommended for the greening of an area.

Care

When you buy a Vinca, you don't have to worry much about the care. You may be able to improve the nutrient supply once a year with leaf mulch, a dose of compost or a compound fertiliser. Do not use bark mulch, as this has a negative effect on the growth of the evergreen. As a rule, you do not need to water your Vinca, but if it is dry for a long time, you should keep an eye on your plants.

Pruning

Pruning of this plant can be carried out - but this is usually only useful if a ground cover area is not dense enough. Tip: stick the removed shoots into the bare areas between the plants - rooting will take place without further effort.

Winter protection

The large types can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C, the small varieties can also withstand -20°C. Therefore, light winter protection is recommended in rough areas. However, if there is frost damage and pruning is carried out, the plants usually sprout again without any problems.