Small periwinkle, a colorful ground cover plant all year round

While its cousin in the Apocynaceae family, chain of Hearts, loves our interiors, the little periwinkle, in Latin Vinca minor, prefers the outdoors. This herbaceous perennial thrives in forests and undergrowth throughout Europe, as far south as Russia. In the language of flowers, the little periwinkle is synonymous with melancholy. Yet, with its early flowering and evergreen foliage, it brightens up gardens all year round.

The little periwinkle spreads its creeping vines up to two meters around, but is only fifteen centimeters high.

Its shiny, dark-green leaves cover the ground. They are lanceolate and leathery, with opposite leaflets. They stand on their short stalks, at right angles to the stem.

From February onwards, the little periwinkle is adorned with blue, sometimes violet or white flowers. They have five asymmetrical petals, shaped and arranged to resemble fan blades. Flowering lasts until May.

Little periwinkle and periwinkle are said to have numerous therapeutic virtues. But this ground-cover plant must be handled with care. It is toxic when ingested without preparation. Dogs, cats and tortoises are also sensitive to its toxicity.

Traditional medicine practitioners are not the only ones to seek out Vinca minor on their wilderness expeditions. A clump of small periwinkles indicates that man has been here before, even centuries ago. Amateur archaeologists are on the lookout for its presence to unearth forgotten treasures.