:strip_icc()/purple-vinca-minor-myrtle-d718071d-7f913f86c3014d05b71e1043da203cfc.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1900&ssl=1 "How to Plant and Grow Periwinkle for a Carpet of Flowers and Foliage")
It seems like every garden has a tricky dark corner where no grass will grow and perennials fizzle out. Enter periwinkle: This vigorous groundcover can easily tackle cover almost any space, blanketing it with evergreen leaves and blue star-like flowers. With these planting and care tips for periwinkle, even the shadiest parts of your garden will look infinitely more cheerful.
Periwinkle Overview
| Genus Name | Vinca |
| Common Name | Periwinkle |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Light | Part Sun, Shade, Sun |
| Height | 6 to 12 inches |
| Flower Color | Blue, Purple, White |
| Foliage Color | Blue/Green |
| Season Features | Fall Bloom, Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom, Winter Interest |
| Special Features | Attracts Birds, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance |
| Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Propagation | Division, Stem Cuttings |
| Problem Solvers | Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Slope/Erosion Control |
Where to Plant Periwinkle
Plant periwinkle in any spot in the garden where you want to cover a lot of ground fast—be it shady or sunny. They’re favorites in shade perennial gardens as well as rock gardens. The tough-as-nails plant can will sprawl and look increasingly lush year after year without needing much care.
In harsh northern climates, periwinkle is not quite invasive, but in places with mild climates, these plants can quickly take over a garden. No matter where you are, it’s best to stay on top of them to keep them in bounds.
How and When to Plant Periwinkle
Plant periwinkle in spring or fall in a partially shaded area using nursery plants. Periwinkle prefers slightly acidic soil that drains well. If the soil is heavy or needs other amendments, add them before planting.
Carefully remove the periwinkle plants from the nursery containers and plant them in a hole large enough to hold the root system at the same level as in the nursery containers. Space them 8 inches apart in small areas or 12 to 18 inches apart in large areas. Avoid planting them near other small plants; they spread quickly, and the mats of growth will choke out nearby plants. Water deeply and keep the soil moist for a couple of months to give the roots time to develop; after that, only water when the soil is dry to 1 inch.
Periwinkle Care Tips
Periwinkle is an adaptable, low-maintenance plant. These care guidelines will keep it looking its best.
Light
These plants prefer dappled sun, but they’ll take what they can get and grow in anything from full sun to full shade.
Soil and Water
These plants are tough, and they grow in almost any situation, but the ideal soil is humus-rich and evenly moist. They’ll also grow in poor soil that dries out a bit, but not as vigorously. Periwinkle does best with about an inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation.
Temperature and Humidity
Periwinkle plants grow best in a warm daytime temperature of at least 75°F and a nighttime temperature above 60°F. The warmer, the better. Periwinkle plants tolerate humid and wet climates, but they are more susceptible to diseases in humid areas.
Fertilizer
Although periwinkle will grow in poor soil, a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer applied to soil that lacks organic matter increases the plant’s growth rate and encourages blooming. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Cutting Back Periwinkle
As periwinkle plants grow, they have a knack for laying down roots wherever their stems come in contact with soil. This makes them a great option for preventing weeds from growing between their dense mats of foliage. However, it also means these plants can spread indefinitely. As long as you catch them early, they are easy enough to pull up as they spread, and they certainly don’t mind a good haircut every now and then. Cutting the plants back also encourages new growth, which is much brighter and shinier than the old leaves and offers a nice spot of color in dark areas.
Pests and Problems
Periwinkle plants don’t have severe pest problems, but they can fall prey to aphids, scale, or spider mites, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. When grown in wet areas, they may die back due to fungal diseases.
How to Propagate Periwinkle
Periwinkle plants are easily propagated using stem cuttings. Here’s how:
- Cut a 4 to 6-inch stem with leaves but no flowers, and remove any leaves from the bottom third of the cutting.
- Dip the cutting in rooting powder, and plant it in a small pot filled with a mixture of sand, peat moss, and perlite. Add water, enclose the pot in a large, clear plastic bag and place it in a warm, bright area.
- Open the bag daily to check that the planting medium remains moist. If needed, carefully add water to the soil or mist the cutting.
- The periwinkle will root in two to four weeks. Remove the plastic bag after the cutting roots.
Types of Periwinkle
Most commonly, the periwinkle you find in a garden center is Vinca minor. This is the hardier and smaller plant of the two main species—minor in Latin means smaller. The other species commonly found is Vinca major. As you may guess, major means bigger. Vinca major is a larger plant with bigger leaves, flowers, and habit. However, Vinca major is less hardy and is, therefore, less often seen, especially in northern climates, or it is treated as an annual.
Purple Vinca
Vinca minor ‘Atropurpurea’ bears creeping stems and dark purple flowers on and off from spring to fall. Zones 4-9
Vinca
Vinca minor offers pretty blue blooms periodically from spring to frost. Zones 4-9
Periwinkle Companion Plants
Other shade-loving plants make ideal companions for periwinkle. Look for plants with habits and colors that complement periwinkle’s glossy foliage and blue flowers.
Lungwort
In early spring, the brilliant blue, pink, or white flowers of lungwort bloom despite the coldest chill. The rough basal leaves, spotted or plain, always please and continue to be handsome through the season and into winter. Planted close as a weed-discouraging groundcover or in borders as edgings or bright accent plants, lungworts are workhorses that retain their good looks. Provide high-humus soil that retains moisture. Although lungwort tolerates dry conditions, be alert for mildew.
Lilyturf
Used often as a groundcover or an edging plant, lilyturf or liriope is popular for a good reason. It stays green year-round in many climates, produces pretty blue or white flowers, and is about as tough a plant as you’ll hope to meet. Its dense tufts of almost-evergreen, broadly grassy leaves are often striped. Stiff stems bear tight spikes of tiny blue or white bells, similar to those of grape hyacinth. It thrives when protected from drying winds in rich, well-drained soil that retains moisture.
Hakone Grass
The elegant, sweeping lines of this grass are so lovely that it’s a favorite among gardeners, and Japanese forest grass is one of only a few ornamental grasses that thrive in shade. Its mounding clumps of arching, grassy leaves gradually increase in size, never becoming invasive. Variegated cultivars are particularly attractive. All thrive in moisture-retaining, humus-rich soil and tolerate dry conditions.
Garden Plans for Periwinkle
Need some ideas for incorporating periwinkle into your garden? These plans show exactly how to combine it with other plants for a shady oasis.
Hosta-Filled Shade Garden
The big, bold leaves of hosta plants play well with spreading periwinkle to create a beautiful, low-maintenance shade garden that’s full of texture from spring to fall.
Corner of Shrubs
Trees and shrubs are the four-seasons backbones of this eye-catching vignette while periwinkle plays a pivotal role of bringing visual interest to the ground and covering bare soil.
