Vinca minor
Common Periwinkle

This plant is considered invasive.

Family:

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family) 11

Genus:

Vinca (Periwinkle Creeping Myrtle Myrtle, Creeping) 6

Plant Type:

Liana (Climbing Vine) 44

Growth Forms:

Trailing 4

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 523

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Evergreen 263

Flower Notes:

Purple (Lilac blue to blue-violet flowers in April and sporadically through the summer)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous, dark green foliage forms an evergreen cover)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

3-6 feet

Ultimate Spread:

1-8 feet

Fruiting Times:

August 151

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to soils, but is not tolerant of those that are very dry

Range:

Europe and western Asia

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Simple entire glossy dark green leaves are opposite, 0.5-1.5" long, elliptic, oblong to elliptic-ovate with a rounded base. Broken petioles exude a milky sap.

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Periwinkle

Special Characteristics:

Bank Cover 48

Groundcover 62

Trellis/Post/Fence Climber 28

Midwest Invasive 44

Notable Texture 282

Shade Tolerant 116

Additional Information

One of the best evergreen ground covers for a shady location. Spreads quickly after establishment. Subject to stem-rot disease when grown vigorously and in wet soil. Also does not like very dry soil and full sun. Does best with regular watering on well-drained soil.

Plant Photo Gallery

Groundcover Habit

Foliage and Flowers

Foliage

Flower

Foliage and Buds

Buds and Foliage

Winter Habit

When Vinca minor has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

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Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 fruiting not present	Week 2 fruiting not present	Week 3 fruiting not present	Week 4 fruiting not present	Week 5 fruiting not present	Week 6 fruiting not present	Week 7 fruiting not present	Week 8 fruiting not present	Week 9 fruiting not present	Week 10 fruiting not present	Week 11 fruiting not present	Week 12 fruiting not present	Week 13 fruiting not present	Week 14 fruiting not present	Week 15 fruiting not present	Week 16 fruiting not present	Week 17 fruiting not present	Week 18 fruiting not present	Week 19 fruiting not present	Week 20 fruiting not present	Week 21 fruiting not present	Week 22 fruiting not present	Week 23 fruiting not present	Week 24 fruiting not present	Week 25 fruiting not present	Week 26 fruiting not present	Week 27 fruiting not present	Week 28 fruiting not present	Week 29 fruiting not present	Week 30 fruiting not present	Week 31 fruiting present	Week 32 fruiting present	Week 33 fruiting present	Week 34 fruiting not present	Week 35 fruiting not present	Week 36 fruiting not present	Week 37 fruiting not present	Week 38 fruiting not present	Week 39 fruiting not present	Week 40 fruiting not present	Week 41 fruiting not present	Week 42 fruiting not present	Week 43 fruiting not present	Week 44 fruiting not present	Week 45 fruiting not present	Week 46 fruiting not present	Week 47 fruiting not present	Week 48 fruiting not present	Week 49 fruiting not present	Week 50 fruiting not present	Week 51 fruiting not present	Week 52 fruiting not present

11 Vinca minor found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2013_00666*A	HORTPARK
2	2009_15713*A	PGG
3	2009_15736*A	TEL
4	2009_15713*C	PGG
5	2009_15724*A	WTHR
6	2013_00010*A	LYNN
7	2009_15713*B	PGG
8	2009_15660*A	BCHM
9	2009_15713*D	PGG
10	2022_00308*A	HORT
11	2023_00119*A	HORT

Other plants like this Vinca minor (Common Periwinkle)

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