Wine Common Periwinkle
Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'
A lush, trailing ground cover that thrives in the deepest of shade. Unique, deep red-wine colored blossoms appear above lustrous green foliage. This evergreen perennial is perfect for planting beneath tree canopies, or cascading over a low wall or container.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | VING-ka MI-nor |
| Key feature: | Shade Loving |
| Plant types: | Perennial, Groundcover |
| Garden styles: | Cottage, Mediterranean |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full to partial shade |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Creates a mat 6 in. tall, spreading 2 to 3 ft. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Deer Resistant, Dwarf Plant |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Erosion Control, Firescaping/Fire Wise, Mass Planting, Very Wet Areas, Water Garden, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Purple |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 7608 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. As a groundcover, space plants 5 ft. apart, (closer for faster coverage). Control weeds with mulch until the plants cover the area. Pruning time: early spring.
Design Ideas
The luxurious trailing form of this evergreen vine looks fabulous hanging over a low wall or edge of a container. Makes a vigorous groundcover for sheltered locations beneath tree canopies and banks where it will force out weeds. Capable of weaving itself through rocky outcroppings and for covering up mortar at rock waterfalls or pools. Truly romantic addition to sparse old shrub borders and north side foundation planting.
Companion Plants
The white plumes of Deutschland Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii 'Deutschland') bring light to this combination. Ferns are a good component of this planting, including Crested Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina 'Cristatum'). Let Pink Anemone Clematis (Clematis montana rubens) cool its roots in this shade and climb up an arbor into the sun.
History
This plant falls into the Apocynaceae. The genus was named from the Latin vernacular for the plant. Genus vinca contains about 12 species of trailing plants all native to the Old World. Also known as running myrtle, the plants are associated with Roman garlands and were spread with the empire. In some warmer regions of the U.S. this plant has naturalized and may be considered invasive.
Lore
During the middle ages it was worn by the condemned on their way to execution.
A lush, trailing ground cover that thrives in the deepest of shade. Unique, deep red-wine colored blossoms appear above lustrous green foliage. This evergreen perennial is perfect for planting beneath tree canopies, or cascading over a low wall or container.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. As a groundcover, space plants 5 ft. apart, (closer for faster coverage). Control weeds with mulch until the plants cover the area. Pruning time: early spring.
Design Ideas
The luxurious trailing form of this evergreen vine looks fabulous hanging over a low wall or edge of a container. Makes a vigorous groundcover for sheltered locations beneath tree canopies and banks where it will force out weeds. Capable of weaving itself through rocky outcroppings and for covering up mortar at rock waterfalls or pools. Truly romantic addition to sparse old shrub borders and north side foundation planting.
Companion Plants
The white plumes of Deutschland Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii 'Deutschland') bring light to this combination. Ferns are a good component of this planting, including Crested Lady Fern (Athyrium filix femina 'Cristatum'). Let Pink Anemone Clematis (Clematis montana rubens) cool its roots in this shade and climb up an arbor into the sun.
History
This plant falls into the Apocynaceae. The genus was named from the Latin vernacular for the plant. Genus vinca contains about 12 species of trailing plants all native to the Old World. Also known as running myrtle, the plants are associated with Roman garlands and were spread with the empire. In some warmer regions of the U.S. this plant has naturalized and may be considered invasive.
Lore
During the middle ages it was worn by the condemned on their way to execution.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | VING-ka MI-nor |
| Key feature: | Shade Loving |
| Plant types: | Perennial, Groundcover |
| Garden styles: | Cottage, Mediterranean |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full to partial shade |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Creates a mat 6 in. tall, spreading 2 to 3 ft. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Deer Resistant, Dwarf Plant |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Erosion Control, Firescaping/Fire Wise, Mass Planting, Very Wet Areas, Water Garden, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Purple |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 7608 |
