Vinca minor periwinkle

Periwinkle is a European native plant growing wild in the woods from Central Europe to Caucasus. It is a prostrate, evergreen groundcover offering a long flowering period.

Periwinkle flowers are pinwheel-shaped with 5 divided petals, 2-2.5 cm across, pastel violet, and bloom from mid spring continuously until early summer while May flowering is the most abundant.

Evergreen leaves are ovate, deep green, and glossy. It makes long shoots which are best trimmed to achieve a dense and compact mat with plentiful of flowers unless you are looking for a quick ground-cover. Periwinkle is ideal in areas where it can be left grown on its own beneath taller trees or shrubs, not disturbing smaller and dwarf plants. If desired in a bed along with other plants keep it under control by hard pruning.

It will grow in almost any soil type apart from too dry. It flowers best in full sun in evenly moist ground. In the wild it naturally grows in filtered sun or partial shade. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 29-12-2015.