Common Periwinkle

The Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is prized for its evergreen foliage and low-maintenance growth habit. It performs well in USDA Zones 4 to 8 and thrives in both full sun and partial shade. The plant reaches a modest height of 0.25 to 0.50 feet and spreads 0.50 to 1.50 feet, making it perfect for covering ground efficiently in a variety of landscape settings.

Common periwinkle tolerates dry to medium moisture levels and is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including rocky, shallow soils. It is also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a resilient choice for challenging conditions. The lavender-blue flowers, which appear in May and June, offer a lovely contrast to the plant's deep green foliage and add color to the landscape during the growing season.

The Common Periwinkle is a widely favored choice for its versatility and resilience in landscaping. It serves multiple purposes, from decorative ground cover to erosion control, and is especially valued in shady or difficult-to-grow areas. Here are some popular uses:

• Ground Cover: Its ability to form a dense mat of evergreen foliage makes it ideal for covering large areas in the garden, particularly in shaded spots where other plants might struggle.
• Erosion Control: Common Periwinkle is effective for stabilizing soil on slopes or embankments, preventing erosion with its quick-spreading roots.
• Naturalized Gardens: This plant is perfect for naturalized spaces where a low-maintenance, evergreen ground cover is needed.
• Shady Borders: It thrives in shaded areas, making it suitable for borders under trees or along shaded walkways.
• Companion Plant for Bulbs: Its low-growing, trailing habit allows it to be a great companion for spring-blooming bulbs, offering year-round greenery and spring-to-fall flowers.

To ensure successful planting and care of Common Periwinkle, follow these essential tips:

• Planting Location: Choose a spot with full sun to part shade. Although it thrives in partial shade, it will tolerate almost full shade, making it perfect for under trees or in woodland gardens.
• Soil Preparation: It grows well in average, well-drained soil but prefers moist, humusy soils in part shade. It also tolerates dry conditions, so it’s adaptable to a range of garden environments.
• Planting: Space plants 8 inches apart for quick coverage of smaller areas. For larger spaces, plant 12 to 18 inches apart. The trailing stems will root at the nodes, allowing the plant to spread quickly.
• Watering: Common Periwinkle prefers medium moisture but can tolerate dry conditions once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to help the plant establish a strong root system.
• Mulching: Add a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Fertilizing: Fertilizing is generally unnecessary, but a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can promote vigorous growth.
• Pruning: Trim back stems as needed to maintain a neat appearance and prevent the plant from becoming invasive. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued bloom, though this is not essential for its health.