Creeping Myrtle Ground Cover | Periwinkle Plants for Sale

Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

429 customer reviews

Vinca minor 'Traditional' (AKA Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle)

Pronunciation: VING-kah MY-nor
Product: 235

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On sale: $0.97
Regularly: $1.57

In stock.

Also available as:

Periwinkle 'Traditional' {3 1/2 in. Pots, min 25}
$4.17 or less ($4.17 per plant).
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 500}
$0.67 or less ($0.67 per plant).
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 1000}
$0.47 or less ($0.47 per plant).
In stock.
Periwinkle 'Traditional' {2 1/2 in. Pots, min 54}
$2.97 or less ($2.97 per plant).
Out of stock, due 09/12/2022.Email when available

See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants

If ordering a special sale package of 500 or 1000 bare roots, they generally only ship on Mondays (see the Shipping tab for details).

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 choke out 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 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.

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

Cold hardiness zone: 4-9 (-30 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
AHS Heat Zone: 9-1
Light: Full sun Part sun Shade
Growth rate: Fast
Mature height: 4-6"
Spacing: 4-8"
Tolerant of: Deer, Drought, Foot Traffic, Poor Soil, Rabbits, Salt
pH of Soil: 5.0 - 7.8, Ideal pH: 6.0 - 6.5
Grows Under Trees: Conifer - Yes, Walnut - Yes, Other - Yes
Cascades: Yes
Good for borders & edging: Yes
Spreads by creeping: Yes
Good for erosion control: Yes
Evergreen: Yes
Good for slopes: Yes
Vine: Yes
Weed suppressor (once established): Yes

Reviews

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Mostly dead after a few weeks
05/25/2021 By Lisa Siefker (OH)
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

The description says this plant does well in full sun, but mine are mostly dead after a few weeks. It’s been hot and I watered twice a day, but they didn’t survive. The plants I planted in the shade look better.

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05/24/2021 Classy Groundcovers... Read full review >

Does great in shady areas and poor soil
05/24/2021 By Vinca mama in northern IL (IL)
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {3 1/2 in. Pots, min 25}

This plant has been a great choice for that part of my backyard where grass has never grown. It has tolerated shade, rabbits, sandy soil, and trampling. It certainly is invasive, but if you have a fenced space for vinca, it's a terrific low maintenance option... Read full review >

Vinca Minor Bareroot Plants
04/16/2021 By Cory Skeens (VA)
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

The plants arrived in perfect condition with good roots. We have planted them, and they're doing great. Ordered more to fill in a hillside. Highly recommended.

Vinca Minor
04/05/2021 By Ralph Cleage (AL)
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

Product was as-advertised, delivered in a timely fashion and in good condition. In fact, they gave me more than the 50 I ordered. Would definitely use them again!

Excellent product‼️
03/24/2021 By Clare Boccelli (NJ)
Product reviewed: Periwinkle 'Traditional' {2 1/2 in. Pots, min 54}

The plants arrived in perfect condition‼️ It was a pleasure to do business with this company‼️
03/24/2021 Update The plants were shipped with perfect timing and arrived as though they had just been packed that day. I was really really pleased with... Read full review >

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.