How Does a Periwinkle Flower Grow?

Common periwinkle is an evergreen groundcover.

Gardeners can mean one of three plants when they talk about periwinkle. Vinca minor is often referred to as common periwinkle, while annual vinca, or Madagascar periwinkle, is an annual that blooms in sunny locations. Its relation, vinca major, prefers shaded areas.

Common Periwinkle

Common periwinkle is a broad-leaf evergreen plant widely used as a groundcover in shaded areas. It is well suited to a sloping landscape with a rapidly sprawling habit up to 2 feet. The plants grow 2 to 3 inches tall with blue, lavender or white flowers appearing in late spring and lasting well into fall.

Madagascar Periwinkle

Commonly grown in pots and containers outdoors, Madagascar periwinkle can also be grown in a sunny window inside. Flowers are pink or white with dark red centers and green, shiny leaves. The plants reach 1 to 2 feet in height and breadth.

Bigleaf Periwinkle

Bigleaf periwinkle, or vinca major, forms a dense, rapidly spreading mat with blue flowers in shaded areas. Sometimes confused with common periwinkle, the bigleaf variety has a more open and upright habit than its common relative.

Considerations

Both perennial and annual vinca are easy to grow and do best when planted in well-drained organic-rich soil. Vinca minor will spread rapidly in the shade but flowers best in sun.

References

• North Carolina State University: Big Leaf Periwinkle
• Weeds Gone Wild: Common Periwinkle
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Periwinkle
• West Virginia Cooperative Extension: Common Periwinkle
• Iowa State University Extension: Annual Vinca and Common Periwinkle
• Cornell University: Vinca

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Periwinkle Dying Off
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Selecting Landscape Plants: Ground Covers