Variegated Common Periwinkle
Vinca minor 'Variegata'
Evergreen perennial displays profusion of lilac blue flowers. Terrific groundcover for flower beds. Creamy white margin to dark green leaves. Use on banks and steep slopes. Roots as it spreads.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | VING-ka MI-nor |
| Key feature: | Deer Resistant |
| Plant types: | Perennial, Groundcover |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full shade to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing 6 to 8 in. tall, spreading wider. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Special features: | Deer Resistant |
| Landscape uses: | Firescaping/Fire Wise, Very Wet Areas, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Blue |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Variegated |
| Item no.: | 7614 |
| 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 variegated foliage of this trailer makes it light up the shade as it covers the ground. It looks fine on shady banks or trailing over the side of a container or low retaining wall.
Companion Plants
Fragrant Sarcococca (Sarcococca ruscifolia) is a good choice for shade and its evergreen foliage combines well with the periwinkle. In damper spots, try Fingerleaf Rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia)for its horse-chestnut-shaped leaves. Halcyon Plantain Lily (Hosta x 'Halcyon') will grow up through the groundcover, offering an upright contrast.
History
Vinca is a genus of about twelve trailing plants of the Old World. Also known as running myrtle, these plans were quite popular in America during the Victorian age and often planted in graveyards due to their medieval association with death. The plants have therefore naturalized in warmer regions of the U.S. and often become troublesome invaders.
Lore
Vinca was commonly used by the Romans and later during the Middle Ages to create garlands for those soon to be executed, probably because vinca wilts very quickly after being cut.
Evergreen perennial displays profusion of lilac blue flowers. Terrific groundcover for flower beds. Creamy white margin to dark green leaves. Use on banks and steep slopes. Roots as it spreads.
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 variegated foliage of this trailer makes it light up the shade as it covers the ground. It looks fine on shady banks or trailing over the side of a container or low retaining wall.
Companion Plants
Fragrant Sarcococca (Sarcococca ruscifolia) is a good choice for shade and its evergreen foliage combines well with the periwinkle. In damper spots, try Fingerleaf Rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia)for its horse-chestnut-shaped leaves. Halcyon Plantain Lily (Hosta x 'Halcyon') will grow up through the groundcover, offering an upright contrast.
History
Vinca is a genus of about twelve trailing plants of the Old World. Also known as running myrtle, these plans were quite popular in America during the Victorian age and often planted in graveyards due to their medieval association with death. The plants have therefore naturalized in warmer regions of the U.S. and often become troublesome invaders.
Lore
Vinca was commonly used by the Romans and later during the Middle Ages to create garlands for those soon to be executed, probably because vinca wilts very quickly after being cut.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | VING-ka MI-nor |
| Key feature: | Deer Resistant |
| Plant types: | Perennial, Groundcover |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full shade to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing 6 to 8 in. tall, spreading wider. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Special features: | Deer Resistant |
| Landscape uses: | Firescaping/Fire Wise, Very Wet Areas, Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Blue |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Variegated |
| Item no.: | 7614 |
