| Genus -
Vinca |
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| Species -
minor (lesser periwinkle) |
| Species -
major (greater periwinkle) |
| Common Names
(V.minor): Lesser periwinkle, dwarf periwinkle |
| Common Names
(V.major): Greater periwinkle, large periwinkle, blue
periwinkle |
| Type: Perennial |
| Foliage: Evergreen |
| Habit: Trailing
vine |
| Growth
Rate: Average to Fast |
| Height (V.minor): 15-20cm |
| Height (V.major): 40-50cm |
| Spread (V.minor):
90cm |
| Spread (V.major):
70-80cm |
| Position:
Part shade to sun |
| Hardiness:
Hardy |
| Soil:
Most soils except very dry or very wet |
| Origin (V.major):
Southern Europe |
| Origin (V.minor):
Central Europe |
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Vinca major and vinca minor are
two species of the genus vinca that have been cultivated for
use in our gardens as the perfect ornamental plant or ground
covering. Although often referred to as weeds these plants
offer us a solution to areas that may be otherwise difficult
to tend to; sloping banks that are covered in weeds can be
suppressed using vinca major, hanging baskets that need
sprucing up will welcome vinca minor, large gardens that need
a lot of land covering in a short space of time will benefit
from vinca major, the list is endless.
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| Vinca plants are perfect for
areas underneath trees that other plants may suffer in, this
is because once they are established they are drought tolerant
and do not mind any competition from trees for moisture.
Although they do not like to be completely dry they will stand
a better chance of survival than many other plants in these
conditions. Vincas also provide you with rapid ground cover
growth which is exactly what you want from a ground covering
plant. By introducing these plants into your gardens you will
be creating an attractive imitation of nature itself, the
plants will reduce the need for weeding, reduce evaporation
from exposed sites and increase the amount of wildlife such as
bees and butterflies. |
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| If the thought of fast growing
plants makes you a little wary about the upkeep involved there
are varieties that are less invasive than others, vinca minor
is a perfect starter plant that can be contained in pots and
hanging baskets thus reducing the risk of it running away from
you and there are also annual vinca available. |
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| Vinca
major |
| Vinca major is the plant of
choice for larger gardens as they will provide the room it
requires to romp about. Flowering best in full sun it will
also put up with shady areas and will tolerate all soils
except for very dry. It is full hardy and will flower from
April to September with luscious blue-violet or dark violet
flowers. If the need is required to cut the plant back a
little then pruning can be done in spring. |
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| Vinca
minor |
| Perfect for use in smaller
gardens, pots and containers and hanging baskets it has the
exact same preferences of growing conditions as vinca
major and will flower simultaneously but with lavender blue
flowers. As with before pruning can be done in spring to
prevent any unwanted shoots. |
| Spacing and planting will
depend on the variety chosen and the directions should be
followed to allow your plants to become established. |
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| Vinca
cultivars... |
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Vinca minor - lesser periwinkle |
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| Pretty,
pale blue or blue-violet flowers from April to September
and lance-shaped, dark green leaves. This pretty,
prostrate, evergreen shrub is excellent groundcover for
the smaller garden. One of our recommended plants, it's
less invasive than Vinca major and grows in any
well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. |
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Vinca minor 'Illumination' - periwinkle |
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| Marvellous,
mid-blue flowers from April to September and glossy,
golden leaves with dark-green margins. This striking,
variegated, evergreen plant is excellent groundcover for
a small, sunny border. Introduced in 2001, the trailing
stems are ideal for softening hard landscaping or for
spilling over the edges of a hanging basket. |
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Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea' - lesser periwinkle |
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| Sumptuous,
dark plum-purple flowers over a long period from April
to September and dark-green leaves. This delightful,
purple-flowered lesser periwinkle is an excellent
groundcover plant. Flowering best in full sun it's an
attractive alternative to the rampant Vinca major
and particularly suitable for small gardens. |
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Vinca minor 'La Grave'
(syn. 'Bowles Variety') |
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| Lovely,
lavender-blue flowers over a long period from April to
September and dark green leaves. The long, trailing
stems of this prostrate, evergreen shrub are excellent
for suppressing weeds in sun or partial shade. Allegedly
the best blue-flowered variety and less invasive than Vinca
major, it's particularly suitable for smaller
gardens. |
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Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll' - lesser periwinkle |
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| This
prostrate, evergreen plant forms a neat carpet of
lance-shaped, dark green leaves - excellent for
suppressing weeds in sun or partial shade. The
wonderful, pure-white flowers - borne over a long period
from April to September - are valuable for lightening
dark areas. More compact than other varieties, it's
perfect where space is limited. |
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Vinca minor 'Argenteovariegata' - lesser periwinkle |
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| Delightful
light violet-blue flowers and dark green leaves with
creamy-white margins. Like all Vinca minor, it
flowers over a long period, producing blooms from
mid-spring through to autumn. It makes an excellent
ground cover, especially in small gardens and is less
rampant than Vinca major. |
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Vinca major - greater periwinkle |
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| Large,
blue-violet or dark violet flowers on arching shoots
from April to September and dark green leaves. This
prostrate, evergreen shrub is perfect for suppressing
weeds on sloping banks or the bare ground under trees.
Extremely fast-growing, it's only really suitable for
large gardens - for small sites chose Vinca minor. |
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Vinca major 'Variegata' - greater periwinkle |
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| Large,
blue-violet or dark violet flowers on arching shoots
from April to September and dark green leaves with
creamy-white margins. This vigorous, variegated,
evergreen shrub is attractive groundcover for large
expanses of ground. Flowering best in full sun, it's a
useful low-maintenance choice for sloping banks that are
hard to mow. |
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