Skip to content

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 4–9Type 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

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (263)

Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — five-petaled lavender-blue flowers; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 183
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — <br><br>For the landscape designer; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 75
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — around 1-2 inches in diameter; where other plants may struggle, image 72
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — although it prefers moist; infusing the garden with subtle color
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Originating from the Mediterranean region, this trailing vine thrives in U.S; although it prefers moist, image 234
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — it's important to note that Vinca major spreads quickly and can reach an expansive coverage; where other plants may, image 76
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — <br><br>For the landscape designer; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 159
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Periwinkle, or Vinca major, is a fast-spreading evergreen ground cover; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 197
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — where other plants may struggle; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 137
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — with stems stretching up to 18 inches long; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 133
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — <br><br>For the landscape designer; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 243
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — ground cover with blue blooms; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 83
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — well-drained soils with partial to full shade exposure; where other plants may struggle
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Its trailing stems can extend up to 18 inches; although it prefers moist, image 230
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Keep invasive tendencies in check
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — which measure about 1-2 inches wide and 2-3 inches long; although it prefers moist, image 98
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — ground cover with blue blooms; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 195
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — ground cover with blue blooms; infusing the garden with subtle color
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — Strategic planting is suggested to avoid unwanted overtaking of nearby plants; although it prefers moist, image 134
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — It thrives in Zones 7-9, preferring partial to full shade; although it prefers moist, image 226
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — with stems stretching up to 18 inches long; blue-lavender flowers spreading 1-2 inches wide, image 217
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — although it prefers moist; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 123
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — around 1-2 inches in diameter; where other plants may struggle
Periwinkle (Vinca Major) — oval leaves reaching up to 3 inches long; infusing the garden with subtle color, image 143
Photographs by 20 contributors

Related plants