How to Prune Periwinkles

Periwinkle is a trailing vine plant that is common in shade gardens and as a ground cover in landscapes. The plant thrives in partial shade, and will spread up to 3 feet. It produces small, blue-purple flowers. The periwinkle plant does not require pruning, unless you need to control the size and shape of the plant. Removing dead stems will also encourage the periwinkle to produce new growth.

Things You'll Need

• Garden shears

Instructions

1. Cut back any dead, damaged or insect-infested stems of the periwinkle with a pair of gardening shears. Cut them all the way back to the base of the plant.

2. Cut back runners that are growing outside the area where you want the plant to be contained. This will keep the plant's size in control and help it maintain a bushy shape.

3. Remove any new shoots growing out of the runners that spread along the ground. These shoots sap energy from the plant.

References

• Yardener: Caring for Periwinkle
• Wilson Bros Nursery: Evergreen Periwinkle Pruning