Greater periwinkle, a colorful ground-cover plant
Vinca major
- Exposures
- Half-shade, Shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7a (-17.8°C ≤ T° < -15°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Genus
- Periwinkle Vinca
- Species
- Greater periwinkle Vinca major
Periwinkle or Vinca major belongs to the Apocynaceae family. While its cousin, string of Hearts, comes from the Antipodes, the Periwinkle is native to southern Europe. Extremely hardy, this herbaceous plant brings its flowers and evergreen foliage to poor soils and low-light locations.
How do I recognize Periwinkle, Vinca major?
Periwinkle, in Latin Vinca major, has creeping stems that extend up to five meters. When the nodes take root, they give rise to upright stems reaching 50 centimetres in height.
The glossy-green leaves are opposite, elliptical and downy-stalked. They measure between three and nine centimetres long and two to six centimetres wide. The perennial foliage retains its color all year round.
Large periwinkle flowers after Lesser periwinkle. Purple flowers bloom from April to September. They have five asymmetrical, almost square petals arranged in a star shape, five centimetres in diameter.
In addition to its ornamental qualities, the plant is renowned for its medicinal properties. But it is toxic in high doses. Its leaves are also a danger to pets if ingested.
Our care tips
The Great Periwinkles are easy to grow. But this ground cover quickly becomes invasive. Choose your planting site carefully. In pots or in the ground, don't combine it with other perennials. It will take over and prevent them from flourishing.
Watering
Feed your Greater periwinkle only when the substrate has dried thoroughly (at least five centimeters). Water generously with room-temperature rainwater and let the excess run off through the drainage holes.
Drain off any stagnant water in the dish or planter. It will rot the roots.
Misting
Your Vinca major hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Vinca major to give it more space.
In a perforated pot, place a bed of clay balls or gravel for drainage. Prepare a mixture of ordinary potting soil and sand. Pour it into the planter. Plant your Greater periwinkle.
The Vinca major variety forms long runners that you can marcot. There's no need to overcrowd the plants to achieve a full planter or ground-cover effect.
Fertilization
Use compost to stimulate the growth and flowering of your periwinkle plants.
Prune
Cut back the clump using clean, sharp pruning shears. This will help you control the growth of your Vinca major.
Pulling out
The Great Periwinkles quickly prove to be invasive. If your plants colonize spaces not intended for them, uproot them.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Dig a hole ten to fifteen centimetres deep. If you are transplanting several Vinca major plants, particularly for ground cover, space the plants 30 to 40 centimetres apart to allow them to develop.
Place a drainage layer, such as pebbles or gravel, at the bottom of the hole. Cover with a mixture of soil, potting soil and compost. Plant your plant, with the root ball at ground level.
Fill in, compact and water generously.
Fill in, compact and water generously.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Take a branch about fifteen centimeters long. The stem should be semi-jointed, i.e. Still flexible and not yet woody. Cut below the node closest to the mother stem.
Remove the leaves at the base, keeping only the upper pairs.
Remove the leaves at the base, keeping only the upper pairs.
Prepare a pierced pot with a bed of clay balls at the bottom for drainage. Pour in a mixture of sand and potting soil. Preferably use a horticultural or seedling potting soil, as these are rich in nutrients. Plant your graft in this pot.
Place your cutting in a bright spot away from direct sunlight and water.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- Half-shadeShade
- Substrates
- Humus soilSandy soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubsPlanter
- Categories
- HerbaceousWeedFlowery
- Tags
- InvasiveHardyToxic
- Origin
- Southern Europe
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7a (-17.8°C ≤ T° < -15°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower color
- Violet
Discover plants from the same family
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
