Home » Finding Your Perfect Plants » Periwinkle, Myrtle » Large Leaf Periwinkle, Myrtle (Vinca major)

Large Leaf Periwinkle, Myrtle (Vinca major)

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 major (AKA Myrtle, Periwinkle) is a low-maintenance delight - great for controlling soil erosion on shady or partly-shadyslopes. 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. Larger leaves and less cold hardiness than Vinca minor.

See also: Vinca minor, All Vinca


See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
Product
20% off Shady Variegated Deer Mix #2: 50 Variegated Japanese Spurge, 25 Variegated Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle, 25 Japanese Painted Fern
On Sale!: $395.60
Discount: 20%
Save 20% on this combination of shade plants with dramatically striking variegated foliage that deer generally avoid. Plant in shade or part-shade in zones 6-9.
In stock.
Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}
25 - 249: $5.67 each  |  250 - 999: $5.37 each
(Big Leaf Periwinkle/Myrtle) Hardy and graceful, this deep evergreen trailing vine is dotted in blue-lilac flowers in early spring. Spreads quickly once established, fairly drought resistant. Mature prostrate height 8-18".
Temporarily out of stock. Expected 12/16/2024.Email when available
Variegated Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}
25 - 249: $5.67 each  |  250 - 999: $5.37 each
(Big Leaf Periwinkle/Myrtle) Hardy, elegant evergreen trailing vine with variegated glossy white margined leaves. Blue-lilac flowers emerge in early spring and persist sparsely through summer and fall. 8-18" tall.
In stock.
Variegated Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/2 in }
1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $102.06 ($5.67 per plant)
(Big Leaf Periwinkle/Myrtle) Hardy, elegant evergreen trailing vine with variegated glossy white margined leaves. Blue-lilac flowers emerge in early spring and persist sparsely through summer and fall. 8-18" tall.
Temporarily out of stock. Expected date unknown.Email when available
Variegated Greater (Large Leaf) Periwinkle {flat of 32 Pots - 2 1/2 in }
1 flat of 32 2.5" pots: $133.44 ($4.17 per plant)
(Big Leaf Periwinkle/Myrtle) Hardy, elegant evergreen trailing vine with variegated glossy white margined leaves. Blue-lilac flowers emerge in early spring and persist sparsely through summer and fall. 8-18" 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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