Home » Finding Your Perfect Plants » Periwinkle, Myrtle

Periwinkle 'Traditional' {2 1/2 in. Pots, min 54}
431 customer reviews
Vinca minor 'Traditional' (AKA Pervinca minor, Vinca ellipticifolia, Vinca humilis, Vinca intermedia, Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle)
Pronunciation: VINK-uh MY-nor truh-DISH-uh-nuhl
Product: 234
Shipping description: This product cannot be shipped to AZ, CA, NV, OR, or WA

FREE SHIPPING!
54 - 107: $4.47 each108 - 1025: $4.17 each
1026 - 2537: $3.96 each2538 - 5021: $3.88 each
5022 - 10043: $3.75 each10044 - 20033: $3.54 each
20034+: $3.34 each
In stock.
Shop With Confidence
Read reviews of us: Google - - Dave's Garden.
Secure online billing.
We assure your privacy.
Also available as:
See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
If ordering the package of 500 or 1000 bare roots, they generally only ship on Mondays (see details below).

If you've ever sat on a bench beside a quiet, still pond with lovely butterflies flittering about, then you know the feeling that Vinca minor Traditional evokes with her classic, evergreen, trailing vines of dazzling glossy green (1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch) leaves. The foliage is offset by a prominent, whitish mid-vein and absolutely delightful violet-blue blooms (1/2-3/4 inch) in early spring that persist sporadically from summer through frost.

Like most Vinca, Traditional does best in partial shade and produces fewer blooms in deep shade. Why do gardeners return to this Vinca time and again? You just cannot beat their ability to suppress weeds with a carpet of emerald leaves and thick mass of deep amethyst blossoms that pop out in a choir of color in early spring.

If you are considering purchasing this plant in bare root form, please read about bare root plants so you know what to expect. See photos of bare root Vinca minor.
See other plants that go well with this plant.
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 6-8 Zones 4-5
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.

While all parts of the vinca plant are slightly toxic, that small amount consumed by a pet is unlikely to cause signs (loss of coordination, seizures, diarrhea, vomiting and depression). It would be best to watch your dog or cat closely over the next 24 hours, and if you see any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or tremors, he/she needs to be seen right away by a veterinarian.

See all Vinca.
Specifications
Shipping
NOTE: ORDERS FOR THE SPECIAL PACKAGES OF 500 OR MORE BARE ROOT VINCA MINOR TRADITIONAL WILL BE SHIPPED SEPARATELY FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION AND (BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL QUANTITY DISCOUNTS) ORDERS FOR LESS THAN 2000 CANNOT BE SPLIT INTO MULTIPLE SHIPMENTS (ORDERS OF 2000 OR MORE CAN BE SPLIT INTO TWO SHIPMENTS, ORDERS OF 10000 OR MORE CAN BE SPLIT INTO UP TO FOUR SHIPMENTS). ORDERS FOR 500 OR MORE PLACED MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY WILL GENERALLY SHIP THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, ORDERS PLACED FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WILL GENERALLY SHIP THE MONDAY AFTER NEXT, BUT MAY SHIP SOONER (ADVISE US IF YOU WANT THE PLANTS SHIPPED ON A PARTICULAR DATE). IF MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY IT WILL SHIP TUESDAY. IF STOCK IS AVAILABLE IT MAY SHIP SOONER. IF YOU WANT IT SHIPPED ON A PARTICULAR MONDAY, SPECIFY THAT IN THE COMMENTS BOX NEAR THE SHIPPING ADDRESS. EXPECT DELIVERY WITHIN 3 DAYS OF SHIPMENT. THESE PLANTS ARE DUG FRESH FROM THE GROUND FOR EACH ORDER, 3-6 LEADS PER PLANT, PACKED 50 TO A BUNDLE. YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE RUBBER BANDS FROM THE INDIVIDUAL PLANTS BEFORE PLANTING. ORDERS OF 500 OR MORE CANNOT BE CANCELLED OR REVISED AFTER THE FRIDAY BEFORE SHIPMENT.
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 to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- When We Ship
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns
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

Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Create your own review
We now primarily use Google Customer Reviews.
We now primarily use Google Customer Reviews.
Page:
Buy some!
04/24/2015 By Martin Carey
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

Plants arrived quickly and in great condition. Every one looks like it is going to 'take.' So far, so good!
Periwinkle
04/22/2015 By Jerry Hiatt
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

They were delivered right away and received in good shape. I planted them immediately and today they are looking good. Thanks so much

I ordered 216 periwinkle plants in February for shipment to me in April for a spring project. Two days before they were due to ship I realized I needed another 54 plants. I requested they ship together and Classy Groundcovers was able to handle my last minute... Read full review >
Great plants
04/15/2015 By Karen Garwood
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}

Plants were received in perfect condition.
Love my plants
04/14/2015 By Robin LeBorgne
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

I was surprised at how many 50 bare root periwinkle plants really turned out to be. I expected one thin strand each, but it turned out to be more of a clump of plants. They all looked healthy and so far, since planting a few days ago, they appear to be doing... Read full review >
We now primarily use Google Customer Reviews.
Page:

Related Products


Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle
3 1/2 in. Pots min 25
$6.27 or less
Temporarily out of stock. Expected 06/22/2026.Email when available

Variegated Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle
3 1/2 in. Pots min 25
$6.27 or less
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Bowles'
1-Gallon pot
$31.47 or less
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Bowles'
flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in
$107.47 ($5.97 per plant)
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Bowles'
flat of 50 Peat Pots - 2 1/4 in
$173.97 ($3.48 per plant)
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Ralph Shugert'
1-Gallon pot
$31.47 or less
Temporarily out of stock. Expected date unknown.Email when available

Periwinkle
'Traditional'
flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in
$89.47 ($4.97 per plant)
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Traditional'
Bare Root Plants,
min 50
On sale: $0.97
Discount: 51%
On Sale!
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Traditional'
flat of 50 Peat Pots - 2 1/4 in
$164.97 ($3.30 per plant)
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Traditional'
Bare Root Plants,
min 500
$0.74 or less
On Sale!
In stock.

Periwinkle
'Traditional'
Bare Root Plants,
min 1000
$0.54 or less
On Sale!
In stock.
​

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE DISCOUNTS?

Your privacy is important to us, we will not send you any unnecessary email. If you wish to be advised of our sales (2-4 times per year), join our mail list.

no thanks