Vinca minor

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Plant
ID 645 Vinca minor
Botanic Name Vinca minor
Common Name Dwarf Periwinkle, Lesser or Common Periwinkle
Family Name Apocynaceae
Cultivars 'Alba','Alba Variegata','Argenteovariegata','Atropurpurea','Azurea Flore Pleno','Bowles Blue','Bowles White','Gertrude Jekyll','Multiplex'
Origin Europe, Zone 4-9
Growth Type Climber
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 7
Growth Habit Prostrate Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.08 - 0.2 m (0 - 1 ft) Spread 1 m (3 ft)
Plant Overview
This prostrate or twinning stoloniferous climber has slender spreading stems that form a dense cover over a large area. It has dark green ovate leaves and the blue-violet trumpet-shaped flowers appear above the foliage from spring to summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Elliptical
The 40 mm (1 5/8 in) long leaves are elliptical to oblong or ovate with an acute apex and a rounded base with a petiole up to 30 mm (1 ¼ in) long. It has a dark green waxy upper surface and is pale green beneath. The margins are entire.
Arrangement Opposite
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 20 - 40 mm ( 0.8 - 1.6 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Salverform
The 30 mm (1 ¼ in) wide salverform flowers are held above the foliage on a slender pedicle that is up to 30 mm (1 ¼ in) long. The colour ranges from purple to white and the flowering period is from spring to early summer and sporadic in summer.
Inflorescence Solitary
Colour Mauve - Purple
Size 25 - 30 mm ( 1.0 - 1.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Follicle Additional Information
Colour Brown
The 50 mm (2 in) long slender cylindrical follicle contains 3 - 5 seeds that have no endosperm and are released when the follicle dries and splits. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 40 - 50 mm ( 1.6 - 2.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, poor-fertile, moist, sandy to loamy soil, organic rich, pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, roof gardens, window boxes
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun to semi-shade, frost-cold and drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Grey mould, root rot, canker , leaf spot, aphid, leaf hopper, scale
Fertiliser Apply complete liquid fertiliser during spring for potted plants, water in well
Pruning Prune to contain, tolerates a hard prune as it may become invasive
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Dwarf Periwinkle is grown for its spreading habit and flowers. It is planted as a ground cover in parks and gardens or used as a spill-over on embankments or in rockeries. It is also grown in patio pots and planter boxes or used in roof gardens,
Divide established clumps from autumn to spring. Take semi-hardwood cuttings during summer.
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