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Vinca
Lush, Low-Maintenance Groundcover Sun & Shade
Vinca Minor & Vinca Major: Your Go-To Groundcovers
Whether you are tackling a shady slope, looking for low-maintenance edging, or dreaming of a carpet of green beneath trees, Vinca (also known as Periwinkle) is a fantastic choice. Both Vinca minor and Vinca major offer glossy foliage and charming flowers, quickly filling in areas where other plants might struggle. Vinca offers a compelling set of benefits for gardeners of all levels:
- Excellent Groundcover: Forms a dense mat, effectively suppressing weeds once established.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care after the first year.
- Shade Tolerant: Vinca minor thrives in shade to part shade, ideal for under trees or on the north side of buildings. Vinca major also tolerates partial shade.
- Sun Adaptation: Vinca major handles more sun than V. minor, especially in cooler climates. Both appreciate some afternoon shade in hot regions.
- Attractive Foliage: Glossy green leaves provide year-round interest (evergreen in milder zones, semi-evergreen in colder ones). Variegated options are also available.
- Charming Flowers: Produces lovely star-shaped flowers, typically in shades of blue, purple, or white, primarily in spring with sporadic blooms later.
- Erosion Control: The spreading root system is effective on slopes and banks.
- Deer & Rabbit Resistant: Generally ignored by Browse animals.
- Adaptable: Tolerates a range of soil conditions, provided they are well-drained.
Meet the Vincas: Minor vs. Major
While similar, there are key differences:
- Vinca minor (Common or Dwarf Periwinkle):
- Hardiness: The more cold-hardy option, generally suitable for USDA Zones 3/4 through 8. It is the best choice for the colder end of the spectrum.
- Size: Smaller leaves (up to 1.5 inches) and flowers (about 1 inch across). Grows lower to the ground (4-6 inches tall).
- Growth: Spreads readily but is generally less aggressive than V. major. Excellent for dense, weed-proof carpets in shady spots.
- Light: Prefers Part Shade to Full Shade. Can tolerate sunnier spots in cooler climates if moisture is consistent.
- Vinca major (Bigleaf or Greater Periwinkle):
- Hardiness: Best suited for USDA Zones 6/7 through 9/10. It is less cold-hardy than V. minor and may suffer dieback or fail to overwinter in colder zones without protection.
- Size: Larger, heart-shaped leaves (up to 3 inches) and larger flowers (up to 2 inches across). Can reach 6-12 inches in height, with arching stems.
- Growth: A more vigorous and faster spreader. Can sometimes be invasive in ideal conditions, particularly in milder climates. Often used in containers and hanging baskets for its trailing habit, as well as groundcover.
- Light: Tolerates Full Sun (especially in cooler zones or with ample moisture) to Part Shade.
Whether using container plants or cost-effective bare roots, proper planting sets the stage for success, especially when covering large areas.
- When to Plant:
- Spring (after the last frost) or early Fall (allowing at least 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes) are ideal. Fall planting is often preferred in hotter climates.
- Site Selection & Preparation:
- Choose a location based on the light requirements of your chosen species (V. minor for more shade, V. major for more sun/part shade).
- Crucial for Mass Planting: Clear the entire area of weeds and unwanted grass. This is the most important step for long-term success, as weeding established Vinca can be difficult. Consider solarizing the area beforehand or using landscape fabric under mulch (optional, ensure water can penetrate).
- Ensure good drainage. Vinca does not like constantly wet feet. Amend heavy clay or sandy soil with compost or other organic matter over the entire planting bed. Loosen the soil to at least 6-8 inches deep.
- Planting Bare Root Vinca:
- Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately. If you cannot plant right away, keep roots slightly moist and cool (e.g., wrapped in damp paper towels in a plastic bag in the fridge or a cool basement) for a very short time.
- Soak: Just before planting, soak the roots in a bucket of water for 1-2 hours (no longer). This rehydrates them.
- Dig Holes: Dig holes wide enough to spread the roots out comfortably without bending them. The depth should place the crown (where roots meet stems) exactly at soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot.
- Spacing for Mass Planting:
- Vinca minor: Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart. Closer spacing (6-8 inches) provides faster coverage.
- Vinca major: Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Layout: Stagger the plants in rows (like triangles) rather than a straight grid for a more natural look and quicker fill-in.
- Plant: Place the plant in the hole, spread roots, and backfill with soil, gently firming it around the roots to remove air pockets. Ensure the crown remains at soil level.
- Water Thoroughly: Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil.
- Planting Container-Grown Vinca:
- Dig a hole slightly wider and the same depth as the pot.
- Gently remove the plant from its container, teasing out any circling roots.
- Place in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
- Follow the same spacing guidelines as for bare roots for mass plantings.
- Mulching:
- Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (shredded bark, wood chips, pine straw) over the entire bed after planting.
- Keep mulch slightly away from the plant crowns.
- Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds (critically important during establishment!), and regulate soil temperature.
Growing and Caring for Your Vinca
Vinca is famously low-maintenance once established.
- Watering: Water regularly (deeply, once or twice a week depending on weather) during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, Vinca is quite drought-tolerant but will look its best with occasional watering during extended dry periods, especially V. major in sunnier spots.
- Fertilizing: Generally not required, especially if planted in amended soil. If growth seems poor, a light top-dressing of compost in the spring is sufficient. Avoid excessive high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote leaves at the expense of flowers.
- Pruning:
- Control Spread: Trim the edges as needed to keep the plants within their designated boundaries. Long runners can be snipped off or tucked back into the bed to root.
- Rejuvenation: For dense, older patches that look tired, you can rejuvenate them by mowing on a high setting or shearing them back hard in late winter/early spring before new growth begins. This encourages fresh, dense growth.
- Weed Control: Stay vigilant with weeding, especially during the first year or two until the Vinca forms a dense mat. Mulch is your best ally here.
- Pests & Diseases: Vinca is relatively pest and disease-resistant. Occasionally, fungal leaf spots or stem blight can occur in overly damp, humid conditions with poor air circulation. Ensure good drainage and avoid overhead watering late in the day. Scale insects or aphids are rare but possible.
- Winter Care:
- Vinca minor: Very hardy. Foliage may brown slightly in harsh winters in Zones 3-4 but usually recovers quickly. A layer of mulch provides extra insulation.
- Vinca major: In the colder parts of its range (Zone 6/7), it may die back to the ground or suffer significant foliage damage. Mulch can help protect the crowns for spring regrowth. In Zone 5 or colder, it is unlikely to survive the winter outdoors.
By choosing the right Vinca for your zone and conditions and following these planting and care tips, you will soon enjoy a beautiful, easy-care carpet of green!
Vinca (vin-kuh) (common periwinkle, greater periwinkle) Apocynaceae Family. Trailing or creeping herbs that are sometimes evergreen, sometimes shrubby. Primarily ground covers, they grow to 2 or 3 feet long, and do best with some shade. They require a great deal of moisture and if allowed to dry out, they will quickly die. Enjoy vinca's colorful blooms from spring through fall. The blue, purple, or white flowers provide a colorful accent to the shiny, green foliage. This easy, adaptable groundcover tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Note: It can also grow very quickly -- to the point some gardeners call it invasive. Vinca spreads by creeping across the ground and rooting at each node that touches the surface. This makes it an excellent plant to use for erosion control on slopes. Once established, it is a low-maintenance plant.
Vinca major and Vinca minor are nearly identical except for leaf shape and flower size. Vinca major has broader leaves with longer hairs on the petioles, larger flowers, and is less cold hardy. Both are low maintenance and often used for controlling soil erosion on shady slopes.