Vinca minor
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Common Name: lesser periwinkle
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Apocynaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Europe to southern Russia
Garden Location: Ameren Ground Cover Border
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender
Bloom Description: Lavender blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Dense Shade, Deer
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates full shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils in part shade. Plant 12-18" apart to cover large areas.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This species of periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. Trailing stems with smooth, evergreen leaves (to 1.5" long) root at the nodes as they go along the ground and quickly spread to form an attractive ground cover. Tubular, lavender blue, phlox-like flowers (to 1 inch across) appear in the leaf axils in spring and continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall. Foliage will mound up to 6" tall. Also commonly called dwarf periwinkle and creeping myrtle.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Can spread aggressively into adjacent lawns or garden areas.

Garden Uses

Versatile ground cover. Good cover for bulb beds. Effective on slopes or banks to stabilize soils and prevent erosion.

Alternatives for the Lower Midwest


Asarum canadense 		     
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