This elegant evergreen trailing vine has a larger leaf than most Vinca, and much more pronounced veining. The deep lilac 1/2" flowers that cover the bed in early spring are the most intricate of all Vincas, as they have the non-uniform bleed of a fine watercolor.

Spreads quickly once established. Prefers regular watering and well-drained fertile, loamy soil. Prefers shade in zones 7 - 8, must have shade in zone 9; tolerates sun with regular watering in zones 4 - 6.

Deer tend to avoid. Tolerant of infrequent foot traffic. Caution: invasive, should only be used in contained areas. Mature prostrate height 4" - 6", spacing 8" - 12".

Vinca (from Latin vincire "to bind, fetter") is a genus of five species of in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The common name, shared with the related genus Catharanthus, is Periwinkle.

They are subshrubs or herbaceous, and have slender trailing stems 1-2 m long but not growing more than 20-70 cm above ground; the stems frequently take root where they touch the ground, enabling the plant to spread widely. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lanceolate to ovate, 1-9 cm long and 0.5-6 cm broad.

The flowers, produced through most of the year, are salverform (like those of Phlox), simple, 2.5-7 cm broad, with five petals joined together at the base to form a tube. The fruit consists of a group of divergent follicles; a dry fruit which is dehiscent along one rupture site in order to release seeds.

The two species (the Small Periwinkle V. minor and the Large Periwinkle V. major), are very popular ornamental plants in gardens, grown for dense evergreen ground cover and their delicate violet flowers. V. major has broader leaves with a hairy margin and larger flowers, is less cold hardy, and has twice as many chromosomes as V. minor. A variegated selection of V. major is commonly cultivated.

USDA: Vinca minor: Characteristics - Fact Sheet

Part sun Shade

Zones: 4-9