Periwinkle

Vinca Major

Design with this plant

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 4–9

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Periwinkle, or Vinca major, is a fast-spreading evergreen ground cover

Culture

Sun: Half, Shade
Water: Low
USDA zones: 4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Apocynaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (243)

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — it's important to note that Vinca major spreads quickly and can reach an expansive coverage; where other plants may, image 188

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — with stems stretching up to 18 inches long; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 189

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — which requires minimal care beyond occasional pruning to control its spread; where other plants may struggle, image 192

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — commonly referred to as Vinca major; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 93

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Originating from the Mediterranean region, this trailing vine thrives in U.S; although it prefers moist, image 94

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — although it prefers moist; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 95

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — well-drained soils with partial to full shade exposure; where other plants may struggle, image 96

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — <br><br>Vinca major's glossy; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 97

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — which measure about 1-2 inches wide and 2-3 inches long; although it prefers moist, image 98

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — five-petaled lavender-blue flowers; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 99

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — around 1-2 inches in diameter; where other plants may struggle, image 100

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — typically grace the plant in mid-spring and intermittently throughout the summer months; blue-lavender flowers spreading, image 101

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — infusing the garden with subtle color; although it prefers moist, image 102

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — <br><br>For the landscape designer; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 103

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — it's important to note that Vinca major spreads quickly and can reach an expansive coverage; where other plants may, image 104

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — with stems stretching up to 18 inches long; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 105

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Strategic planting is suggested to avoid unwanted overtaking of nearby plants; although it prefers moist, image 106

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — emphasize its low-maintenance nature; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 107

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — which requires minimal care beyond occasional pruning to control its spread; where other plants may struggle, image 108

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — where other plants may struggle; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 109

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — blue flowers in the garden; although it prefers moist, image 110

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — ground cover with blue blooms; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 111

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — ground cover for half or shade; where other plants may struggle, image 112

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Periwinkle, or Vinca major, is a fast-spreading evergreen ground cover; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 113

Related plants

Variegated Periwinkle (Vinca Major 'Variegata') — it flourishes in partial to full shade

Variegated Periwinkle

Vinca Major 'Variegata'

Deep Shade · Zones 4–10

Quinquenervia Wax Vine (Hoya quinquenervia) — sweetly scented yellow flower clusters

Quinquenervia Wax Vine

Hoya quinquenervia

Half

Dappled Forest™ Wax Vine (Hoya hybrid) — Proven Winners - Endless Cascades® Dappled Forest™ - Wax Vine - Hoya hybrid plant details

Dappled Forest™ Wax Vine

Hoya hybrid

Half

Frangipani (Plumeria Acuminata 'Pink') — is an evergreen tropical shrub known for fragrant

Frangipani

Plumeria Acuminata 'Pink'

Full · Zones 10–10

Blushing Sunset™ Wax Vine (Hoya wibergiae) — The Hoya wibergiae is a trailing houseplant with fleshy

Blushing Sunset™ Wax Vine

Hoya wibergiae

Half

Yellow Dwarf Periwinkle (Vinca Minor 'Illumination') — Vinca minor 'Illumination', a vibrant groundcover, showcases striking golden-yellow leaves edged in green

Yellow Dwarf Periwinkle

Vinca Minor 'Illumination'

Deep Shade · Zones 4–9