Are Vincas a ‘cool’ plant to grow? You may think so but I couldn’t possibly comment.

Vinca is a low growing herbaceous perennial suitable for ground cover. Vincas generally have sky blue or royal blue star shaped flowers on unkempt enthusiastic foliage.

Vinca Species and Varieties

• There are several species and hybrids including Vinca major and Vinca minor. The minor species are slightly less robust and slower growing.
• Vinca minor ‘Argenteovariegata’ shown above flowers from April all through summer.
• Vinca difformis includes the pale pink ‘Jenny Pym’, with rounded flowers in late autumn. Vinca difformis needs a warm position.
• White flowering Vincas include  ‘Alba’ and ‘Snowmound’.
• Alba Aureovariegata has golden variegation and pale blue flowers,
• Vinca Multiplex is a double flower with dark plum purple flowers.
• Catharanthus roseus ‘Mediterranean Lilac’ or Vinca rosea the rosy Periwinkle casn be grown from seed.

Tips for Growing Vinca Periwinkles

• The trailing habit makes them suitable for use in containers.
• Propagate from runners that are prolific.
• Vinca major and Vinca minor are able to spread rapidly and are sometimes considered weeds. These pictures show how they are colonising a railway embankment and ousting the nettles.
• Vinca will grow in poor, dry and slightly shaded conditions.
• The creeping and arching stems  make an attractive carpet of bright green foliage with  the single blue flowers as an added bonus.