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Periwinkle, Myrtle (Vinca minor)

Example of approximately what these plants look like when shipped. See the eighth photograph of any plant to see a photo of what it looks like when shipped.
Vinca minor (AKA Myrtle, Periwinkle) is a low-maintenance delight - great for controlling soil erosion on shady or partly-shady slopes. An evergreen trailing vine with glossy green leaves. Stunning rich blooms cover the plant in early spring (rare for an evergreen groundcover), blooms persist sporadically summer through frost.

Rarely eaten by deer, tolerant of drought and infrequent foot traffic. Spreads quickly once established. Smaller leaves and greater cold hardiness than Vinca major.

USDA: Vinca minor: Characteristics - Fact Sheet

See also: Vinca major, All Vinca


See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
Product
Periwinkle 'Alba' {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/2 in }
1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $107.46 ($5.97 per plant)
(White/Alba Periwinkle/Myrtle) A hardy, elegant, garden-staple,evergreen trailing vine dotted in profuse large showy white flowers April - June (blooming sporadically through frost). Superb color full/part shade, 4-6" tall.
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Bowles' ('La Grave') {flat of 50 Peat Pots - 2 1/4 in }
1 flat of 50 2.25" peat pots: $173.50 ($3.47 per plant)
('La Grave', 'Bowlesii', Myrtle) An glossy, elegant evergreen trailing vine with deep veining and rich lilac flowers that cover the bed in spring. The most intricate emerald Vinca offering dense coverage. 4-6" tall.
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Bowles' ('La Grave') {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in }
1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $107.46 ($5.97 per plant)
('La Grave', 'Bowlesii', Myrtle) An glossy, elegant evergreen trailing vine with deep veining and rich lilac flowers that cover the bed in spring. The most intricate emerald Vinca offering dense coverage. 4-6" tall.
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert' {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/2 in }
1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $94.97 ($5.28 per plant)
('Ralph Shugart', Variegated Myrtle) This graceful evergreen trailing vine has distinct cream/green variegation and rich violet flowers in spring that rebloom sporadically until frost. 4-6" tall.
Temporarily out of stock. Expected date unknown.Email when available
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 1000}
1000 - 4999: $0.54 each  |  5000+: $0.49 each
(Common/Creeping Periwinkle/Myrtle) True garden standard. Evergreen trailing vine with glossy emerald leaves forming thick coverage and profuse perwinkle flowers in spring, with occasional blooms to frost. 4-6" tall.
Temporarily out of stock. Expected 04/12/2025.Email when available
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
On Sale!: $0.77
Discount: 61%
(Common/Creeping Periwinkle/Myrtle) True garden standard. Evergreen trailing vine with glossy emerald leaves forming thick coverage and profuse perwinkle flowers in spring, with occasional blooms to frost. 4-6" tall.
Temporarily out of stock. Expected 04/10/2025.Email when available
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 500}
500 - 999: $0.74 each  |  1000 - 4999: $0.54 each
(Common/Creeping Periwinkle/Myrtle) True garden standard. Evergreen trailing vine with glossy emerald leaves forming thick coverage and profuse perwinkle flowers in spring, with occasional blooms to frost. 4-6" tall.
Temporarily out of stock. Expected 04/12/2025.Email when available
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in }
1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $89.46 ($4.97 per plant)
(Common/Creeping Periwinkle/Myrtle) True garden standard. Evergreen trailing vine with glossy emerald leaves forming thick coverage and profuse perwinkle flowers in spring, with occasional blooms to frost. 4-6" tall.
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {flat of 50 Peat Pots - 2 1/4 in }
1 flat of 50 2.25" peat pots: $163.50 ($3.27 per plant)
(Common/Creeping Periwinkle/Myrtle) True garden standard. Evergreen trailing vine with glossy emerald leaves forming thick coverage and profuse perwinkle flowers in spring, with occasional blooms to frost. 4-6" tall.
In stock.

Specifications


General information about Vinca (Periwinkle, Myrtle):
An American classic commonly referred to as Periwinkle or Myrtle, Vinca, with her graceful, cascading foliage on slim trailing stems and delicate phlox-like flowers, is an irresistible garden groundcover. Her blooms peek out in early spring and heavily cover the foliage, then sparsely persist throughout summer.

Evergreen and utterly low-maintenance, her lanceolate foliage (from 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long and 1/8- 3/16 inches broad) sits opposite one another and tends to be low-growing (though some varieties can grow up to 2 feet high).

It spreads far and wide as the long stems grow, touch the ground, and root where they touch. Because of her fast spreading habit and ability to blanket an area quickly, Vinca is useful at controlling soil erosion on shady slopes and for covering for large blank spaces and difficult bare spots under trees and shrubs.

Subshrubs with woody habits, both Vinca major and Vinca minor are highly sought after because they can completely carpet an area quickly and economically with the added bonus of delicate salverform flowers willing to blossom in shade or full sun.

Because she doesn’t climb, Vinca is a perfect alternative to ivy when you need a solid, resilient absolutely lovely, classic look. Gardeners love the fact that it is tolerant of infrequent foot traffic and deer. Provided she's given frequent drinks, Vinca minor is perfect for difficult poor soil, surprising many gardeners with her adaptability, but of course, she’ll blow your mind when planted in organic, moist, well-drained, loamy soil.

Things to Note
Compared to Vinca minor, Vinca major is less cold hardy, more tolerant of heat, has broader, hairier leaves, larger flowers, and twice as many chromosomes.

Comparison of V. minor vs. V. major
Needs shade in Prefers shade in Tolerates full sun in
Vinca minor Zone 9 Zones 7-8 Zones 4-6
Vinca major Zone 11 Zone 10 Zone 6-9

Be aware that Vinca can be invasive, and should only be used in contained areas or spaces where she can have free run.

Only a thin layer (if any) of mulch should be used, because Vinca spreads by re-rooting where runners touch the ground.

Interesting Facts
Vinca (from Latin vincire "to bind, fetter") is a genus of six species in the family Apocynaceae; it is native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. Vinca’s common name, shared with its related genus Catharanthus, is Periwinkle.

Gardener Tips
Gardeners often opt to use Vinca in flower boxes, urns and hanging baskets because of their elegant, dangling stems. In a planter, consider pairing Vinca with spring bulbs, then summer annuals, followed by evergreen sprigs and berries for year-round curbside appeal.

Vinca is a lovely complement to creeping phlox and lavender in a rock garden.

Vinca loves to spread, but not typically upward. If planting Vinca on a slope, be sure to start at the highest point and then place plants evenly spaced down the slope. This will ensure even, full coverage.

Be aware that Vinca can be invasive, and should only be used in contained areas or spaces where she can have free run.

See all Vinca.



Care
In areas where spreading is not desired, trim back the runners before they take root or prune ruthlessly once a year.
Will tolerate sun if given enough moisture.
General information that applies to all plants:
- Ground preparation, fertilization, pH
- Planting instructions
- Explanation and description of bare roots
- How to plant bare root plants
- If you cannot plant bare roots right away



Shipping
No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.
FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know how many days delivery will take and can control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- Transit Time For Your Shipment (at most 3 days)
- When We Ship
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- No Shipments To: AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA or internationally
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns


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