Family: Apocynaceae
Common Name: Periwinkle

Native to Europe, these small, climbing or trail­ing, evergreen shrubs have long, tough runners and may become rampant if not controlled. However, with their pretty, five-lobed, blue to purple flowers, they make attractive ground-cover and spillover plants. They are also suitable for window boxes.

Species

V. major, greater periwinkle, zone 7, has several, metre (yard) long stems, glossy, dark green, oval leaves and tubular, blue flow­ers, to 5 cm (2 in) across, in spring and summer. This tenacious vine can reach weed proportions in warm climates if not controlled. Cultivar 'Variegata' has yellowish white leaf margins.

V. minor, lesser periwinkle, zone 4, is similar to V. major, but more prostrate. The stems are also more slender. It, too, has oval, glossy, dark green leaves and blue flowers in spring and summer. The form alba has white flowers; 'La Grave' has large, single, blue flowers; and 'Azurea Flore-pleno' produces double, blue flowers. Cultivars with variegated leaves are also available.

Cultivation

An ordinary garden soil and full sun provide the best conditions for flowering, but these plants can also adapt to a shaded spot. Allow to spread, then cut back in early spring. Propagate by division or from the rooted layers in autumn or early spring.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.