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Periwinkle

Vinca Major

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Overview

Periwinkle, or Vinca major, is a fast-spreading evergreen ground cover. It thrives in Zones 7-9, preferring partial to full shade. With its glossy, oval leaves reaching up to 3 inches long, and star-shaped, blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, it adds vibrant color from spring to autumn. Its trailing stems can extend up to 18 inches. Ideal for erosion control, it requires minimal care once established. Keep invasive tendencies in check.

Sun Half, ShadeWater LowZones 4–9Type Ground cover
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — well-drained soils with partial to full shade exposure; where other plants may struggle, image 124

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Low
USDA zones
4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Ground cover
Family
Apocynaceae

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Photos (263)

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — commonly referred to as Vinca major
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — although it prefers moist; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 151
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Periwinkle, or Vinca major, is a fast-spreading evergreen ground cover; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — well-drained soils with partial to full shade exposure; where other plants may struggle, image 180
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide; where other plants may struggle, image 116
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — five-petaled lavender-blue flowers; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 99
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — infusing the garden with subtle color; although it prefers moist
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — where other plants may struggle
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — it adds vibrant color from spring to autumn; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — infusing the garden with subtle color; although it prefers moist, image 74
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — typically grace the plant in mid-spring and intermittently throughout the summer months; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — oval leaves reaching up to 3 inches long; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 199
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — around 1-2 inches in diameter; where other plants may struggle, image 184
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — emphasize its low-maintenance nature; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 219
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — which requires minimal care beyond occasional pruning to control its spread; where other plants may struggle, image 108
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Strategic planting is suggested to avoid unwanted overtaking of nearby plants; although it prefers moist
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — where other plants may struggle; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 221
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Strategic planting is suggested to avoid unwanted overtaking of nearby plants; although it prefers moist, image 106
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Keep invasive tendencies in check; where other plants may struggle, image 176
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — <br><br>Vinca major's glossy; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 125
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Ideal for erosion control, it requires minimal care once established; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 119
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — oval leaves reaching up to 3 inches long; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 115
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — infusing the garden with subtle color; although it prefers moist, image 242
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Its trailing stems can extend up to 18 inches; although it prefers moist, image 174
Photographs by 11 contributors

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