Common Periwinkle Flats

Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor), also known as Creeping Myrtle or Dwarf Periwinkle, is a hardy, evergreen groundcover favored for its ability to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat in shaded or partially shaded landscapes. With attractive blue-purple flowers and year-round green foliage, it is a reliable solution for covering difficult ground with minimal care.

Distinctive Features

Vinca minor spreads quickly via trailing stems that root as they grow, forming a lush carpet 3 to 6 inches tall. In spring, it produces an abundance of five-petaled flowers in shades of violet-blue. The dark green, glossy foliage stays evergreen in most regions, creating a uniform, low-growing cover that thrives beneath trees, on slopes, or around foundations.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade; tolerates some sun in cool climates
• Soil Type: Well-drained soil; tolerant of sandy, loamy, or clay conditions
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
• Water Needs: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

Ideal Uses

• Focal point groundcover in shaded garden beds
• Erosion control on wooded slopes or hillsides
• Underplanting beneath trees or large shrubs
• Low-maintenance cover for difficult-to-mow areas
• Mass plantings in low-light urban settings

Low Maintenance Care

• Shear back in late winter or early spring to rejuvenate growth
• Water as needed during establishment and dry periods
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds during fill-in
• Divide or thin occasionally to manage spread
• Rarely troubled by pests or diseases

Why Choose Common Periwinkle

• Durable evergreen cover that thrives in shade
• Bright spring flowers provide early-season color
• Suppresses weeds and reduces erosion on slopes
• Tolerates a range of soil types and light conditions
• An effective and attractive focal point in shady, low-maintenance landscapes

Common Periwinkle offers a dependable combination of evergreen foliage, spring color, and dense coverage�making it an ideal focal point groundcover for challenging, shaded spaces and erosion-prone areas.