Lesser periwinkle

Lesser periwinkle: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Evergreen ground cover of 10–20 cm with trailing stems.

Leaf

Opposite, elliptic, 2–4 cm, leathery, glossy dark green, untoothed and hairless, with a short stalk.

Stems

Long, trailing stems that root at the nodes, and short, upright flowering stems.

Flower

Bluish-violet (sometimes white or purple) flowers (2–3 cm) with 5 obliquely cut-off lobes, single in the leaf axils, March–May.

Fruit

Rarely sets fruit: two narrow little pods.

Difference from greater periwinkle

Greater periwinkle (Vinca major) has larger, ovate leaves with a finely hairy edge, larger flowers (4–5 cm) and stems that are upright at first.

Difference from common ivy

Common ivy has alternate, lobed leaves and aerial roots.

Flowering: March–May · Pruning: March and June

Identify by feature: Purple or blue flowers

Looks like it, but isn’t

• Greater periwinkle (Vinca major): larger, ovate leaves with a finely hairy edge, larger flowers (4–5 cm) and stems that are upright at first.
• Common ivy Hedera helix: alternate, lobed leaves and aerial roots. Difference from common ivy

Why grow it?

• An evergreen carpet for shade under trees and shrubs, where grass gives up.
• Bluish-violet flowers in March–May, early nectar for bumblebees and bees.
• Keeps weeds down and needs little work.
• Hardy and not fussy about soil.

Lesser periwinkle: where does it grow best?

• Partial to full shade, under trees and shrubs; in full sun and drought it struggles.
• Almost any humus-rich soil that stays moderately moist; no wet feet.
• In deep, dry shade it grows more slowly and flowers less.
• After a few years, allow about 1 m width per plant.

Light

Partial shade or shade

Legal basis

Any garden soil

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.2 m tall, 1 m wide

Hardiness

Throughout Belgium, no protection needed

Goes well with

• Hazel: Gives light shade, and its catkins flower early in the year, just before the periwinkle.
• Holly: An evergreen, native shrub for the same shady spot; together, green even in winter.
• Yew: Evergreen and shade-tolerant: a dark backdrop for the blue flowers.
• Snowdrop: Pushes up through the green carpet in February.

Good and bad companions

Goes well with

• Tolerates shade and suits planting under large trees such as: ginkgo, box elder, ash, honey locust, field maple, silver maple

Lesser periwinkle: when and how to plant it?

1. Plant in autumn (September–October) or spring (March–April).
2. Use 8–10 plants per m² for a carpet that closes within two years.
3. Work some leaf mould into the soil and first remove perennial weeds such as ground elder and bindweed: later they are very hard to get out.
4. Plant at the same depth as in the pot and water well; lay the long stems out over the soil so they root more quickly.

Care

Watering

Water in dry spells in the first year; after that only in long dry periods.

Weeding

Weed between the plants for the first two years, until the carpet has closed.

Feeding

A thin layer of leaf mould in spring is enough.

Fallen leaves

Leave fallen tree leaves where they are: they rot down between the stems and feed the soil. Only rake off thick layers.

Containing

Dig out runners that creep into borders or the lawn.

Tip: Plant spring bulbs such as snowdrops, crocuses or bluebells among the periwinkle: they push up through the carpet, and after flowering their leaves disappear beneath it.

Lesser periwinkle: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and June.

When: In March, before flowering, or straight after flowering in June.

How:

• Every now and then, cut an old, sparse carpet down short with shears or a mower set high: it grows back denser.
• Dig out runners where they are not wanted.

Caution: Don’t cut during flowering in April–May. Don’t give the clippings to rabbits, guinea pigs or other animals: the plant is poisonous.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In spring or autumn, cut out a piece of the carpet with roots and replant it.

Layering

The stems root at the nodes by themselves: cut off a rooted stem and plant it.

Lesser periwinkle: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy throughout Belgium: no protection needed.

• Fully hardy and evergreen.
• Under deciduous trees it gets more light in winter: that is when the green carpet stands out most.
• In hard frost without snow the leaves can turn brown; in spring it reshoots.

Diseases and pests

• Sparse carpet: Over the years the carpet opens up and becomes woody. Cut it down short in March; it grows back denser.
• Stem dieback: Stems that turn black and die, especially in a wet summer: a fungus. Cut them out and improve air flow.
• Spreading: Creeps into borders and lawn. Cut off the runners along the edge.
• Few flowers: In deep shade it flowers less. Let in a little more light, for instance by crown-lifting trees.

Through the year

• March: Prune before flowering: cut an old carpet down short; planting.
• April: Flowering: bluish-violet flowers for bumblebees.
• May: Last flowers; weed between young plants.
• June: Prune after flowering, if you didn’t in March; dig out runners.
• August: Water in long dry spells, especially young plants.
• September: Planting and dividing.
• October: Planting; leave fallen leaves on the carpet.

What can you use it for?

Garden and landscape

Evergreen ground cover for shade under trees and shrubs; keeps weeds down.

For wildlife

Early flowers for bumblebees and bees.

Caution: All parts are poisonous.

Did you know?

• It hardly ever sets seed and spreads by rooting stems: a large carpet in an old wood or castle park may have grown from a single plant.
• The cancer drugs vincristine and vinblastine do not come from this plant, but from its relative, the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).
• In North America, where it was introduced as a ground cover, it has become invasive in woodland.