Vinca minor, commonly known as Lesser Periwinkle or Creeping Myrtle, is a perennial ground cover. This plant forms a dense, low-growing mat of evergreen foliage that remains green throughout the year, providing continuous coverage. It is valued for its hardiness and ability to thrive in conditions where many other plants struggle.
The Defining Characteristics of Vinca Minor
Vinca minor is exceptionally winter-hardy, thriving across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Its persistent foliage is composed of small, glossy, dark green leaves typically measuring up to 1.5 inches long.
The characteristic flowers are small, tubular, and phlox-like, most commonly a lavender-blue color. These blooms appear singly from the leaf axils and measure about one inch across. While the primary flowering season occurs in the spring, the plant frequently produces sporadic blooms throughout the summer and into the fall.
Management of Its Spreading Growth Habit
Vinca minor is an aggressive ground cover. Trailing stems creep along the ground surface, developing new roots when they contact the soil. This rapid rooting allows the plant to form a thick, interconnected mat, which is effective for smothering weeds and stabilizing soil on slopes.
Because of its vigorous nature, active management is necessary to prevent Vinca minor from spreading into unwanted areas or overtaking neighboring garden beds. To maintain defined boundaries, install a physical barrier, such as plastic or metal edging, buried at least six inches deep. Regular trimming or pruning of the vining stems around the edges will help keep the planting contained.
For smaller, contained patches, any runners that stray can be promptly removed by hand before they establish a strong root system. To slow the plant’s growth rate, reduce the frequency of watering and avoid using nitrogen-rich fertilizers. If an area needs to be cleared entirely, cutting the mat into sections with a spade and peeling back the rooted material is an effective, albeit labor-intensive, method.
Essential Care Requirements
Vinca minor is adaptable, tolerating a wide spectrum of light conditions from full sun to deep shade. The plant performs best in partial shade, where it is less likely to experience sun scald or leaf yellowing that can occur during hot, intense afternoon sun exposure. It accepts various soil types, including loamy, sandy, and clay, provided the medium is well-drained.
The preferred soil is moist and rich in organic matter, which assists in water retention without becoming waterlogged. Once the plants are established, they exhibit drought tolerance, requiring less frequent watering than in their initial planting phase. Water when the top two inches of soil have dried out.
Fertilization is minimal. If the soil is already fertile and rich in compost, additional feeding may not be necessary. If growth appears sluggish, a light application of a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer in the spring encourages denser foliage and more abundant flowering. The plant is generally pest and disease-resistant, though gardeners should watch for signs of Vinca stem canker, which can cause large patches of the ground cover to die back.