Common periwinkle - Vinca minor (Care, Characteristics, Flower, Images, Toxic)

Common periwinkle

Also known as: Dwarf periwinkle

Common periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a trailing evergreen subshrub that forms large, dense colonies. Because of this quality, common periwinkle is commonly used in landscaping as a groundcover. It is a mildly toxic plant, but due to its pungent taste, it rarely gets ingested in amounts significant enough to cause toxic effects.

Scientific classification

Species

Common periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Gentians, dogbanes, madders, and allies

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Toxic to Humans

Toxicity

Perennial

Lifespan

Vine, Herb

Plant Type

Late spring, Summer

Bloom Time

Fall, Winter

Harvest Time

10 cm to 40 cm

Plant Height

15 cm to 45 cm

Spread

Green, Blue, Yellow, White

Leaf Color

1.5 cm to 3 cm

Flower Size

Brown, Green, Copper

Fruit Color

Blue, White, Purple, Violet, Pink, Lavender

Flower Color

Green, Purple, Brown, Blue

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Evergreen

Leaf type

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Spring, Summer

Growth Season

Rapid

Growth Rate

Images of Common periwinkle

Distribution of Common periwinkle

Distribution Map

Common periwinkle is native to Europe, growing in sunny areas like meadows and along roadsides. It is an introduced plant in the United States, used for ground cover in gardens, but it is considered an invasive species in some parts of the United States.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Fields, Woodland edges, Copses, Hedgerows

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

Common periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a popular creeping herbaceous perennial that is commonly used as ground cover. The plant's main season of interest is spring when it is covered with pretty flowers, but sometimes it blooms again in summer. A good use of common periwinkle is to grow it underneath trees since it thrives where other plants struggle due to low sunlight. It does well in shade gardens but can also be planted on slopes and hills to stabilize the soil. This plant grows well with hardy evergreen ferns.

Symbolism

Love, Mental Powers, Faithfulness, Trust

Interesting Facts

The well known pastel purple color periwinkle is named after common periwinkle. The first recorded use of the word common periwinkle to describe a color instead of just a plant was noted in England in the year 1922.

Name Story

Common periwinkle: Periwinkle is a name that is used particularly for the plants in the Vinca genus. In order to distinguish the plants of this genus, they are named according to the different characteristics of each plant. Like most Vinca plants, the flowers of this plant grow distortedly with five petals, which resemble a windmill. Also, this plant is the most common species in the Periwinkle genus, it is called common periwinkle.

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Cultivars

There are several recognized cultivars of Common periwinkle, including the following common varieties :

Common periwinkle 'Gertrude Jekyll'Common periwinkle 'La Grave'Common periwinkle 'Azurea Flore Pleno'Common periwinkle 'Illumination'Common periwinkle 'Bowles's Variety'Common periwinkle 'Gertrude Jekyll'Common periwinkle 'Atropurpurea'Common periwinkle 'Ralph Shugert'Common periwinkle 'Argenteovariegata'

Toxicity

Common periwinkle is mildly toxic but can cause severe cardiac complications if consumed in large quantities. It is poisonous to cats and dogs, with symptoms including gastrointestinal upset to severe cardiac abnormalities. Immediate veterinary attention is essential if ingestion occurs.

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Quickly Identify Common periwinkle

Low-growing evergreen, reaching 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) in height.

Dark green, glossy, oval leaves persist year-round, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long.

Delicate, funnel-shaped flowers in blue-lavender hues, 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.

Axillary, solitary lilac-blue flowers with 5-lobed, rotate corolla, no scent.

Thin, wiry stem reaches 6 inches (15 cm) before trailing, smooth texture with branching pattern.

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Care Guide for Common periwinkle

Every week

Water

Partial sun

Sunlight

15 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Common periwinkle thrives in moist, well-drained soil, requiring weekly watering to maintain hydration. This evergreen plant retains its foliage year-round, necessitating a stable watering routine for continuous growth, particularly outdoors where it forms dense ground covers that suppress weeds.

Fertilize: Fertilize common periwinkle sparingly with a half-strength balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in spring. Once a year is sufficient, as it may thrive in fertile soil without fertilization. Water after applying to prevent root burn and adjust feeding if nutrient deficiencies are observed.

Pruning: Common periwinkle thrives with regular pruning, ideally in early to late spring, promoting denser growth and limiting invasiveness. Key practices include cutting back overgrown stems and removing damaged parts using clean tools. Avoid pruning in extreme heat to protect plant health.

Propagation: Common periwinkle is easily propagated through herbaceous cuttings in Spring and Summer. Successful rooting indicates strong growth potential. Key tips include maintaining adequate moisture and applying hormone rooting powder to enhance rooting success.

Repotting: Repot common periwinkle every 2-3 years in early spring using a shallow, wide container for its spreading habit. Maintain consistently moist soil and provide partial shade for recovery. Common periwinkle's resilience simplifies care, promoting easy thriving post-repotting.

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Images of Common periwinkle

Distribution of Common periwinkle

Culture

Cultivars

Toxicity

Quickly Identify Common periwinkle

Care Guide for Common periwinkle

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