Grow vinca as an annual in zones 2 – 8, and as a short-lived perennial in zones 9 – 11. Its violet-blue flowers are about 1 ½ inches across, and its dark-green, ovate leaves are roughly 3 inches long. Its growth rate is moderate to rapid. This fast growing ground cover grows in either sun or shade. The quarter-sized flowers appear in late spring. Once they are ready, the plants will grow best five feet apart in a bed with full sun for the following growing season. The l… Because stems take root when they touch the soil, it is a useful plant for preventing erosion on hills, slopes or embankments. When you move to a new house (or if you, like me, still don’t really know after years in the same place), spend a day at home and go out every couple hours and record if the area in question is in sun or shade. Short plants with small, glossy green leaves put on little flowers in periwinkle blue. Hardiness Zone: Not hardy. more photos . Height Category: Medium . Vinca minor commonly know as vinca or periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. They tolerate deep shade conditions but may burn in direct sunlight. This makes Vinca ideal in hot, dry parts of the country where other flowers will wither and wilt. They also provide good groundcover for bulb beds, but you should plant them with bulbs that do not need a lot of division, like daffodils. He contributed to the "San Francisco Chronicle" and "Dark Voices." Vinca plants are very easy to care for; they will tolerate drought, shade and heat well. Fertilize vincas every two weeks with a balanced flo… Further details for Vinca minor ‘Dart’s Blue’ Optimal Growing Conditions. Warning. The leaves are a rich glossy dark green color that grow 4 to 6 inches tall. Vinca may become invasive in some regions, plant with caution. Vinca major prefers to grow in partial shade but will even tolerate deep shade. Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions. Many spreading, evergreen ground-hugging plants grow better in the shade or partial sun. Both greater and lesser periwinkle will grow in full sun, but they prefer some shade. Spring and early fall are considered the best times to plant myrtle. Horticulturists have been hard at work cultivating new colors in plants with showy flowers that are easy to start from seed. The stunning scarlet flowers of ‘Cora Red’ annual vinca have a white eye that gives the plant an extra dose of personality. If an area is too stuffy, the plant can develop fungal problems. Its flowers are paler similar to phlox in appearance, about an inch across. Trailing vinca is wonderful for containers or as ground cover. Vinca needs little maintenance and deadheading isn’t required. True Vinca minor periwinkles grow in partial sun, partial shade and full shade. Vinca needs little maintenance, and deadheading isn’t required. Annual vincas … Myrtle, Also Called Vinca or Periwinkle. Sun; The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours). Colorful, heat tolerant annuals. Bloom Color: Burgundy. Vinca needs little maintenance, and deadheading isn’t required. Vinca minor vines req… They are both heat and drought tolerant. Greater periwinkle, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, grows to a height of 6 to 18 inches and width of 1 to 2 feet. Vinca minor vines most commonly put out a blue flower in spring, but the color can also be lavender, purple, or white. Plant it in the full sun to partial or dappled shade in moist, well-drained soil. Here is a link that might be useful: link Annual vincas arent the newest or flashiest annual flowers on the gardening scene, but recent cultivar developments warrant a closer examination of this common bedding plant. It can often be found growing along riverbanks as well as in mountainous terrain, CIPC states. Because of its ability to spread, periwinkle makes an attractive alternative to a lawn in shady areas. Until plants have established and filled in the planting area, provide plenty of weeding and water. Flower Season Early Spring Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. The sun, however, causes … Phlox-like flowers in summer and fall. There is no need to deadhead this little flower factory. Vinca needs little maintenance, and deadheading isn't required. Vinca, also known as catharanthus or Madagascar periwinkle, is a popular annual flower. They may bloom now and again in summer, too, but the summer display will not be nearly as good as the spring display. Anything in between and you should look for plants for PART SUN/PART SHADE. Type: Annual. Growing shade-loving ground cover plants is an excellent choice for plantings under trees or shrubs. more plants . Multiple five-petaled … It grows to reach approximately 4-6" tall (and will spread up to 18" at maturity) with small, glossy green leaves periwinkle blue flowers mostly. Catharanthus roseus, and annual flowering plant that somewhat resembles Impatiens prefers full sun. Its bright-green leaves darken with the season, sometimes taking on a bronze tone under the winter sun. Space the plants 8 to 10 inches apart and feed them lightly when you first install them. Can Creeping Phlox Be Planted in Containers? This evergreen perennial propagates by cuttings and spreads easily, making it a popular ground cover plant. Height: 10-15 inches. Fertilize vincas every two weeks with a balanced flo… Characteristics. They will do well in average soils. Grow annual vincas in full sun or very light shade, as they will not flower well without at least six hours of direct sunlight. Being perennial ground covers, they always provide great cover and flower for long periods from spring through summer. The common, sun-loving vinca has the genus name catharanthus. How To Grow Vinca. Red. Vinca, Catharanthus Great as a container plant or in mass plantings, Vinca gives a show of pink, lavender, white or red flowers all summer long. ... English ivy (Hedera helix) and periwinkle (Vinca sp. These plants prefer dappled sun, but they'll take what they can get and grow in anything from full sun to full shade. Horticulturists have been hard at work cultivating new colors in plants with showy flowers that are easy to start from seed. Both greater and lesser periwinkle will grow in full sun, but they prefer some shade. They do well in full sun to part shade, and can tolerate some drought, although they flower best with regular watering. Although often used as a ground cover due to its creeping ability, potted periwinkle adds texture and color to a shady deck, patio or porch. Vinca major is poisonous if ingested. Growing periwinkle as a ground cover is common, as it rarely reaches more than 4 inches (10 cm.) Vinca minor or Vinca major, the creeping groundcover that is evergreen and has blue flowers in spring will do well in part shade. The Vinca vine (vinca minor) or periwinkle plant is considered an evergreen. x 15 in. Flower Season. This less common selection forms a dense mat of glossy dark green leaves, studded with clean white flowers in spring. Drought Tolerant. Growing vinca will be successful as long as you meet the plant’s optimal requirements. Full sun is best, but they can take part shade if there's good air circulation. Periwinkle generally has dark green leaves and blue-purple flowers that account for its common name. The shade tolerant plants for ground cover are also perfect if … These plants typically have pinwheel-shaped flowers in festive shades of lavender, pink, red, and white. It will do best with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. While most vinca varieties are easy to grow, it's important to choose the best for your space because there are annual and perennial types. Variegated vinca will grow at a relatively fast rate given the right conditions. They don’t require a lot of specialized care, and will thrive if you follow some general guidelines for water, sun and fertilizer. They grow in sun and shade. Compact and trailing Vincas. A periwinkle ground cover also saves water and labor compared with lawn maintenance. Its lovely. x 15 in. Vinca minor grows in partial sun, partial shade, and full shade. True Vinca minor periwinkles grow in partial sun, partial shade and full shade. Adams writes about a variety of topics, including teaching, floral design, landscaping and home furnishings. Very shade tolerant, the leaves will sometimes scorch in too much sun. Periwinkle or creeping mrytle (Vinca minor) is one of the few groundcovers that can tolerate full sun to full shade. Tolerates dry shade … Big Leaf Variegated Periwinkle (Vinca major variegata) is recommended for use in the most inhospitable of spots in your yard, where other less muscular groundcovers have failed. You can harden them before transplanting by putting them in a sheltered area with partial shade. Vinca major and vinca minor are shade-loving ground covers, and vinca vine is a trailer with variegated leaves often used in … Vinca major prefers to grow in partial shade but will even tolerate deep shade. Afternoon sun (about 3pm onward) is FULL SUN. One small plant can spread to 8 feet (2.4 m.) across. Vinca major, a larger periwinkle also called Vinca vine, is classified as invasive in certain areas. Appearance and Characteristics. They do well in full sun to part shade, and can tolerate some drought, although they flower best with regular watering. Provide a moderate amount of water on a regular basis. in height. Vinca Major is a gorgeous ground cover for shade or sun. Apr 3, 2016 - Buy Vinca seeds. It prefers moist soil that drains well. Sun Exposure Partial Shade or Full Shade Soil Type Normal or Sandy or Clay Soil pH Neutral or Alkaline or Acid Soil Moisture Average or Dry or Moist Care Level Easy . I had a spread of them in my old garden in Africa. they need planty of light but prefer cool temps so the answer is a bit of both A summer-flowering annual, also commonly called vinca or periwinkle, is "Catharanthus." When to plant: After the ground has warmed up in the spring, typically mid-May or later in northern climates. Although it's a member of the dogbane family, as well, its light needs are different from Vinca minor's. Sun/Shade: Full Sun to Part Shade. They tolerate deep shade conditions but may burn in direct sunlight. This periwinkle is related to Vinca minor periwinkles but is a different plant. The trouble is, it's tempting to keep them anyway, because a sea of blue spring flowers round a garden is breathtakingly … United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Vinca Minor L. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Adams is a certified health educator and a massage practitioner. ‘Cora Red’ is an upright variety that will grow 14-16 inches tall. Don’t plant in coastal CA where it is invasive. Given the right growing conditions, it can be invasive, so keep an eye on it. Periwinkle tolerates drought, poor soil, rocky soil and even deer. Even though new varieties of annual vinca are small, the amount of blooms produced on one plant has nearly doubled. Pink. Although there are over 12 species of vinca of different genuses and hardiness zones, the two most commonly seen in American gardens are greater periwinkle (Vinca major) and lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor). Bowles Periwinkle grows best in partial to full shade. Here's a link to info about the latter. 22 - 25" Details. It loves shade or partial sun and grows well in most soils and works well for erosion control. Annual Vinca. Vinca minor Alba | J Parker Dutch Bulbs A fabulous evergreen Periwinkle, that is excellent for ground coverage, with the added bonus of producing brilliant white flowers sitting amongst dark green ovate leaves. The smaller size of these new varieties also makes the plant easier to manage and great for container plantings. Lesser periwinkle, hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, is similar, but only grows between 3 and 6 inches tall and to a maximum spread of 1 ½ feet. They do well in full sun to part shade, and can tolerate some drought, although they flower best with regular watering. Vinca or Periwinkle will grow in range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. The trailing stems develop roots as it creeps. An exception is Catharanthus. She holds a master's degree in journalism. Vinca are suitable for planting in almost all reasonable soils, in either full sun or shade. Spread: 12-15 inches. Vinca minor, also called periwinkle, creeping myrtle or vinca, blooms in spring and summer. Vinca Fantastic groundcover for either damp or dry shade. While vincas have few problems, occasionally they will suddenly wilt and die. Annual vinca is a compact plant, growing to about 15 in. Vincas can grow either outdoors or indoors. They are annuals, not perennials, but always seed themselves abundantly, so they never go away if the position is right for them. Also, they are a good choice for a ground cover for an area with dry shade. In full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. Sep 29, 2019 - Excellent ground cover for sun or shade. Full sun, drought tolerant and easy to grow. Vinca major prefers to grow in partial shade but will even tolerate deep shade. In the spring brilliant blue, violet, or purple flowers bloom. Lavender-blue or white flowers appear in the spring and sporadically all season. It was originally misnamed "Vinca rosea," and the name stuck, according to the Colorado State University Extension. Vinca is most commonly used as a groundcover due to its low, spreading habit and ability to grow in all light conditions. Vinca is available in a range of shades including white, pink, red, purple and lavender. 14 - 16" Spread. Fine Gardening, an online gardening resource, says the vine prefers moist soil in sun or partial shade. Vinca are an excellent trailing or ground cover plant that is certain to look fantastic in … The reason everyone with a deer problem desperately need annual Vinca/Periwinkle is that (1) deer will not touch them, (2) the plants do well in semi-shade or full-sun, and (3) many colors are available and the plants will bloom profusely until the first hard frost after planting in June.--- 6 months of beauty! They'll need supplemental watering for the first two or three weeks, but once established, vincas are drought-tolerant and need watering only during extended dry spells. The dark green evergreen leaves provide a lovely backdrop for the periwinkle blue blooms in spring. This vinca comes from Madagascar and thrives in hot, sunny locations. Doesn't like it's roots too wet, so allow soil to dry a little between waterings. Small evergreen leaves form low mats and bear pure white flowers in the spring onwards. For best results, plant them in partial shade. Annual Vinca. Both have similar tolerances and preferences when it comes to sunlight, and both bloom profusely with purple or blue flowers in springtime. The sun, however, causes the plant to produce more flowers. Besides shiny dark green, foliage may be … Soil should be well-drained and amended with organic matter, but vinca does tolerate a wide variety of soils. The Euonymus fortunei or wintercreeper is also an evergreen. The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours). Lawns might be the most popular, but they are not the easiest or best ground cover out there. However, periwinkle selections can have flowers that range from white, blue to purple in single or double flowers. Although the vinca major vine can grow in full shade, partial shade or full sun, be aware that planting a vinca major vine in full sun produces better-looking flowers, while being planted in partial or full shade creates more attractive foliage. Heat Tolerant . Here is how to plant a groundcover that will last for years! Similar Color Plants. Seeds germinate best when the soil temperatures are over 75° F. Transplant seedlings outdoors once air and … Heat-loving plants. Vinca is a classic, old-school plant that’s earned its place in our gardens. Here are six of the best ground cover plants for shade or sun gardens. 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