Periwinkle Flower Plants
Periwinkle is an easy-to-grow flower that brings long-lasting color to a garden. In earlier days, it was known for its primarily white flowers and glossy leaves. In recent years, however, breeding has led to other varieties with purplish flowers, blue flowers and white flowers with a pink center. Also known as vinca or myrtle, the periwinkle is often used as a bedding plant or groundcover in gardens and yards. Does this Spark an idea?
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Hardy Groundcover
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Periwinkle is a hardy plant that can survive temperatures down to minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of its adaptability to a number of climates, periwinkle can serve as groundcover in shady areas under trees and near shrubs. It also makes for a handsome container plant. Although these flowers prefer shade, they also fare well in full sun. The leaves will be greener and glossier in shady settings, but there will be more flowers if planted in sunny areas.
Growing Season
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Depending on its environment, periwinkle can bloom as early as March or April in warmer climates. It often will bloom again in the fall. In most varieties, each periwinkle plant has a single flower set on top of a plant with glossy, green leaves.
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Erosion Control
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The vinca minor variety can grow as tall as 6 inches and will send out shoots that can lead to new plants. Larger periwinkle varieties, such as the vinca major, can produce flowers that are up to 2 inches in diameter. This plant will spread quickly, allowing it to be useful as a colorful groundcover and to control erosion on slopes of hills.
Growing Characteristics
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When planting a groundcover of periwinkle, plants can be spaced 6 inches apart. Periwinkle flowers should be planted in moist, well-drained soil. Within a year, the plants generally will cover the space. If planted in the summer months, weeds should be removed from the area until the periwinkle plants fill in the space.
Varieties Abound
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There are a number of varieties of periwinkle. The "Alba" has white flowers. The "Flore Pleno" variety has two purple flowers. "Sterling Silver" has dark blue flowers and leaves with white margins.
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References
- Photo Credit Periwinkle image by pognyc from Fotolia.com
