Vinca Minor is a charming low-growing groundcover that is famous for its attractive evergreen foliage and marvelous periwinkle-blue flowers. It is also known as Periwinkle.
This plant is a versatile plant that needs relatively low maintenance. They are also pest-resistant and grow in full shade to partial shade. They can be perennial or annual depending on the climate. They generally bloom in the spring season.
What is Vinca Minor?
Commonly known as periwinkle or creeping myrtle, Vina Minor is a small evergreen perennial plant that is widely used for decorative purposes. They originated from Europe and feature flowers of blue, white, purple, or lavender colors.
They can survive in multiple USDA hardiness zones, ranging from 4 to 9. Once they mature, they can reach up to 3 to 6 inches in height, while the trialing vines can reach more than 18 inches in length.
Periwinkle vinca generally needs loamy, clay, or sandy soil to survive, with partial shade for optimal growth. Partial shade is also tolerated in warmer areas.
Due to its low-maintenance nature and vigorous growth habit, Vinca minor is often used for landscaping to over slopes and fill garden beds with luscious greenery. However, you should keep the spread in check as the plant may turn invasive in certain places.
Types of Vinca Minor
Atropurpurea - This Vinca Minor type features sports wine purple flowers with green leaves.
Moonlit - Featuring double blue flowers, this Vinca Minor type has green leaves edged in cream.
Miss Jekyll - This variety of Periwinkle contains a compact white flower structure.
Ralph Shugert - Known for single blue flowers, this Periiwinkle type has green leaves edged in white.
Alba - This type is known for its pure white flowers and green leaves.
When To Plant Vinca Minor?
Planting Vinca Minor in a proper environment is the first step to healthy growth in the future. Knowing the right time to plant it should be researched by every aspiring gardener.
It is better to plant Vinca minor in early spring or early fall when the temperatures are mild. These seasons provide ample rainfall and are crucial for the establishment of this hardy ground cover.
Planting Time
If you seek to plant them in early spring, then you get the advantage of warming soil and the upcoming growing season. This leads to better root development in the periwinkle. It is also vital to ensure that the frost has passed before planting them.
For fall planting, you should aim for at least six weeks before the expected frost to give plants time to root. Cooler temperatures will aid in the reduction of transplant shock while the soil will still be warmer during this time.
You have to avoid summer planting since a hot climate can stress the young Vinca minor. This will hinder the growth of the Periwinkle.
With the right time set for planting, now comes the task of planting Vinca Minor properly. This plant needs attention to detail while planting it in the garden or a container.
The first thing you need to comprehend is the right location to put your Vinca minor on. They prefer partial to full shade, making it ideal for under trees or along shady borders. Putting them in full sun could lead to burning issues.
The next thing to note is the soil where they are put in. The soil should be well-drained and moist. Mulching can also be applied around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Due to their creeping and sprawling nature, they should be placed on hillsides or slopes where water can lead to erosion. Ground cover vinca can help to hold the soil together.
Spacing Tips for Vinca Minor
Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the Vinca minor's root ball. Once you have done this, you can place the plant in the center of the hole. The top of the root ball must be leveled with the soil surface.
The spacing must be done for at least 12 inches between each plant. This distance enables sufficient room for Vinca Minor to spread and fill in the desired area without overcrowding.
If the plant grows in an overcrowded zone, then it may lead to competition for resources that can shunt a healthy growth pattern.
Vinca Minor Care
With a sprawling ground cover rate and height of 3 to 6 inches, Vinca Minor is a superb addition to your garden. It is vital to care for your plants once they are planted since they require regular attention to maintain their shape and health.
Vinca Minors have drought tolerance and this helps them to grow in a suitable environment faster with low maintenance. Moreover, their vines also don't require competition with the tree roots for moisture.
The major things you need to look out for are the amount of sunlight needed, watering techniques, suitable temperature, and fertilizers. If you get hold of these ideas, you can easily care for your VInca minor for years.
Light
Vinca minor is a hardy plant that can adapt to various light conditions. Although they thrive best in partial to full-shade environments, they can also grow in areas with some sunlight.
These plants will retain more moisture in the shaded areas which contributes to their growth. When exposed to full sun for a long time, Periwinkle might need frequent watering to prevent wilting and leaf burn.
Hence, it is better to keep the plant in a partial shade area for their growth and create a low-maintenance environment.
Soil
Periwinkles can thrive on well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They require the soil to be moist to grow well, Meanwhile, the soil type should be loamy or sandy. Clay soil is also another option that can help in the growth process.
If these requirements are fulfilled, then you have made the right soil selection. Ensure that the soil is not waterlogged as it may lead to root rot.
Water
Watering is also an essential part of Vinca minor's care. After planting Periwinkle, you should water the plant consistently to establish its root system. This action should continue for the first few weeks.
This should be done to maintain the moisture in the soil. However, once the roots are established and the plant starts to grow, watering should done less since they can withstand droughts.
Once grown, you can water them 1-2 times per week or in 10 days. During the watering sessions, ensure that the top layer of the soil is dried out. Putting water in moist soil can create overwatering issues in the plant.
Overwatering can result in many adverse effects like fungal development, root rot, and even the plant's demise.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants can grow at various temperatures they can survive in multiple hardiness zones, i.e. 4 to 9. However, extreme cold (like frost) and extreme heat are still hazardous to Vinca Minor.
They usually prefer temperatures ranging from 60 F to 75 F. It is your responsibility to shield them from hot and cold situations as these climates can damage the growth process of Periwinkle.
Moderate humidity is good for BVinca Minor's overall health, but high humidity can create room for fungal infections. Meanwhile, low humidity might cause the plant to dry out. Hence, balanced levels of humidity are needed for Periwinkle's survival.
Fertilizer
Although Vinca Minors can grow on poorer soils too, fertilizers can offer a boost for their foliage and blooms.
You can put in fertilizers every month. These fertilizers should be filled with equal parts of phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen.
If you enjoy the beauty of Vinca minor, then you may seek to grow more in your garden. However, you don't need to search for new plants in the market, as you can grow new ones through propagation methods.
There are two propagating methods for this plant, i.e. division and stem cuttings. Both these methods work great, and if applied correctly, they could lead to a youngling that transforms into a beautiful Vinca minor.
Division
Propagating through the division method is one of the most popular among Vinca minor owners. In this method, you will have to divide the plant to grow a new plant.
Firstly, you need to dig the mature plant into the clump so that it becomes easy to transplant. Since, they have shallow roots, taking them out won't be difficult.
With a shovel or hands, you will then separate the plant into sections. These sections should contain their roots and shoots intact. Once you do this, you can replant and pat the soil gently after placing them.
Stem Cutting
This is another method for propagating a Vinca minor plant. Select a mature, healthy plant with 4 to 6 inches long stems. After that, you should remove the lower leaves and then place the cutting in a well-drained moist mix.
If you have a rooting hormone in your arsenal, you can employ them to speed up the root's growth process. Once the roots grow, then you can witness the rise of a new Vinca minor.
Pruning
One way to care for your Vinca minor is to prune the plant consistently. With pruning, you can maintain the charming look of your plant and promote its overall health and vigor.
Deadheading is one way to clean the rotten or wilted leaves or flowers from your VInca minor. Take a sterilized pruner or simple hands to remove any problematic leaves and flowers. This encourages continuous blooming and prevents the plant from using energy for seed production.
You can also thin out some of the overgrown parts of the plant (stems or branches) with the help of a shearer. This helps to promote air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Ensure that the plant maintains a compact form without leggy stems to maintain visual appearance. Pruning should be done before the growing season to promote better growth.
Also known as Creeping myrtle, Vinca minor is a delightful plant that has a good tendency to spread rapidly. While this can be beneficial for quickly covering bare areas, it may also turn invasive, overtaking other plants and garden spaces.
Here are some ways to prevent this issue from arising in your home garden:
Planting Barriers - To ensure that you maintain a stable spread rate, you can put up a barrier with the help of metal or plastic edging. These edgings should be buried at least 6 inches deep around the area where you seek to contain them.
Removing Runners - Runners can be a big source for your spreading issue. It is better to cut them down if you notice them growing out of the plant.
Prune Regularly - Checking your Periwinkle constantly will give you knowledge of the plant's changes to spread. Trim the stems and branches that have grown extensively.
Can Vinca Vines Choke Other Plants?
Vinca Vines can choke other plants due to its aggressive growth habit. This plant is a low-growing type that can cover grounds with its trailing stems. Once they cover the ground, they form a dense mat in the area.
This dense mat can overshadow other plants in the vicinity and deprive others of sufficient nutrients and sunlight. This problem is typically found in their suitable habitats where no natural controls are present.
Planting Vinca minor in containers or raised beds might help to deter the spreading issue in your home.
Common Problems In Vinca Minor
Although pests are not common in Vinca minor, you should still take care of the plant so that there will not be risks in the future. With many pests and fungi out there, they can quickly latch onto an unsuspecting Vinca minor and pose a headache for the gardener.
Fungal Diseases
When Vinca Periwinkle plant suffers from overwatering or poor drainage issues, then fungal infection can arise in the plant. Fungi like Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia can build up in the Periwinkle.
If you see these fungi in the plant, you should remove them by applying appropriate fungicides. Avoid watering the plant frequently and check for drainage.
Pests
Pesky pests can become a nuisance for Vinca minor owners. Scales, Aphids, Spider mites, and whiteflies can be dangerous for the plant. These pests will feed on leaves and leave ragged edges.
Jets of water can be used for light situations, while stronger pest sprays should be applied for extreme cases. You can also remove the affected portion if the whole plant hasn't been infected.
Invasive Growth
VInca minor's has the potential for robust growth, but this issue can become a double-edged sword. If the plant grows too well, then it can cover grounds easily and invade other plant's spaces.
To avoid this issue, pruning is essential, and regularly monitoring the plant's growth is key. You may also plant Periwinkle on borders.
