Periwinkle Vinca major
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Periwinkle:
- Phonetic Spelling
- VIN-kah MAY-jor
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Big Leaf Periwinkle Is an evergreen ground cover from Asia Minor which forms a dense mat. Prefers part shade to shade in fertile well-drained soil. The blue-to-violet flowers appear in spring and may bloom intermittently through autumn. It can be grown in containers outside of zone 7. Its non-flowering stems grow along the ground, with the flowering stems standing upright.
This plant is considered invasive in VA, SC, GA, AL and California. It spreads as its nodes come in contact with the surrounding soil, forming roots. Moving waters can also dislodge pieces of the stems and wash them downstream where they can form additional colonies.
Quick ID
- Stems vine-like, unbranched
- Leaves opposite, ovate, ciliate
- Flowers rotate
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This evergreen can spread aggressively, becoming invasive as it spread to adjacent beds and lawns, particularly in southern locations. In locations where its aggressive growth is unchecked, it can crowd out native plants and degrade animal habitats. Insects that may affect this plant include nematodes and aphids. Disease issues include root rot, leaf spot and blight. It is a known host to a bacterium that may cause Pierce's disease, a deadly disease for grapevines.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Courtyard Entrance Garden Water Feature
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Variegata'
Violet Blue Flowers
- 'Variegata'
- 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Variegata'
Violet Blue Flowers
- 'Variegata'
- 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Vinca
- Species:
- major
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Resistant to damage by deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Dense
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Open
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Slender, cylindrical fruit is up to 2 inches long. Splitting when dry to release three to five seeds. Seldom seen in cultivation.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are solitary, axillary, anthocyanin pigmented (violet) or white; corolla rotate, actinomorphic, 5-lobed.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, simple, evergreen, green or variegated, ovate, acute, rotund, entire and ciliolate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are erect with apex arching toward the ground. They contain a milky latex.
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
