Periwinkle
Vinca species and Catharanthus species. APOCYNACEAE.
Planting and Growing Periwinkle
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow periwinkle in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of periwinkle
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for periwinkle
- Season of bloom and planting time for periwinkle
- When, how deep, and where to plant periwinkle
- How to plant periwinkle
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of periwinkle
- Landscape and container uses of periwinkle
- Comments about periwinkle and its features
Growing Periwinkle
More than 10 species and many cultivars of low, bushy, mounding, or trailing, evergreen perennial subshrubs, 6–24 in. (15–60 cm) tall, 1–3 ft. (30–90 cm) wide. Opposite, shiny, deep green, oval or lance-shaped, pointed leaves, to 2 in. (50 mm) long.
Commonly cultivated species include big-leaf or greater periwinkle Vinca major, and lesser periwinkle, Vinca minor, with similar care needs.
Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, is another closely related species with similar care needs.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many blue, purple, white, 5-petaled flowers, 1–2 in. (25–50 mm) wide, in early spring.
Best Climates
Tender or hardy, depending on species. Vinca major, zones 8-11; Vinca minor, zones 3–11. Best in cool-summer climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to dry, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average–low. 6.0–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun to full shade, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist until established; drought tolerant thereafter. Fertilize annually in spring. Shear in autumn. Propagate by cuttings, division.
About This Plant
Good choice for banks, borders, containers, ground covers in natural, woodland gardens. Invasive. Disease resistant. Slug, snail susceptible.
Warning:
Due to its very invasive habit, periwinkle are prohibited plants in some governmental jurisdictions.