Large periwinkles are excellent at presenting themselves as attractive ground covers as well as picturesque wall vegetation. With the shoots that initially grow upright and later prostrate, the magnificent subshrub fills previously shady corners of the garden with lush flowers. From April to June, Vinca major presents its plate-shaped flowers in enchanting color nuances, preferably in semi-shady to shady locations. Throughout summer and autumn, the glossy, lush green leaves live up to its name well into winter. In the following you will encounter a colorful series of unusual varieties and learn everything about the uncomplicated care.
Table of Contents
Characteristics
- Dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
- Genus Periwinkle (Vinca)
- Name of the species: Large periwinkle (Vinca major)
- Native to the western Mediterranean
- Evergreen subshrub with an upright, later creeping habit
- Growth height up to 30 cm
- Long flowering period from April to July
- Representative plate flowers in many colors
- Leathery, shiny green leaves up to 9 cm long
A member of the dogbane family, greater periwinkle is poisonous in all parts. At the same time, it is still used today in homeopathy.
Beautiful varieties
On the basis of the blue-flowering, pure species of the large periwinkle, the following popular varieties have emerged:
Vinca major ‘Hirsuta’
Thanks to a dainty growth height of 15 cm, this variety is ideal for the small garden. The blue flowers and shimmering green leaves are a little smaller; Hirsuta easily makes up for this with remarkable vigour. In addition, the variety is a touch more hardy than the pure species, so it freezes back little, if at all.
Vinca major ‘Reticulata’
The fascinating Reticulata is not content with bright, violet-blue flowers, but also throws yellow variegated leaves into the balance. With a growth height of up to 30 cm, this variety is ideal for setting eye-catching accents in flower boxes and tubs.
Vinca major ‘Variegata’
With its colorful white foliage, the variety continues its impressive effect even after the blue blossom. Although a bit sensitive to frost, Variegata recovers quickly in spring to present a dense cushion of flowers from April.
Vinca major ‘Alba’
A radiant white blossom here attracts everyone’s attention. Especially against the dark backdrop of high-growing trees, the variety does not let any sadness arise. Its flower size even exceeds that of the pure species.
location
Large periwinkle adapts flexibly to most common site conditions in the home garden. Only with blazing sunlight does the ground cover not do well. In this case, burns quickly develop on leaves and flowers. Egyptian darkness should also not prevail at the chosen location, because a minimum level of light irradiation must be available.
- Sunny, semi-shady to shady position
- The more colorful the variety, the brighter it can be
- Loose, nutritious and humic soil
Thus, Vinca major thrives in any good garden soil as long as it is not overly compacted and wet. With regard to the pH value, the plant proves to be just as flexible. The accepted range extends from moderately calcareous to slightly acidic.
Planted in the flower box on the balcony railing or in the traffic light, large periwinkle unfolds into a picturesque waterfall of flowers. If you decide on this variant of cultivation, commercially available compost-based potting soil serves as a suitable substrate. Add a handful of perlite or sand to achieve desired permeability.
Water and fertilize
In the bed, periwinkle is content with the average rainfall in the local regions. In the face of summer drought, the attentive hobby gardener includes his busy groundcover in the water supply.
- Water large periwinkle outdoors during prolonged drought
- Keep constantly moist in the planter
- The substrate surface should dry between waterings
- Fertilize with compost or liquid fertilizer every 14 days during the growing season
Efficiently fertilizing a compact groundcover cushion with compost can sometimes be a bit cumbersome. In this case, it is advisable to use an organic liquid fertilizer in the bed, such as nettle broth with dissolved stone flour. Thanks to the robust nature of the leaves and flowers, it is quite possible to enter the carpet of flowers for any maintenance measures.
To cut
The prostrate shoots of a Vinca major will incessantly crawl forward as they root in the soil. Sooner or later the carpet of flowers will reach regions of the garden where its limits are to be shown. In this case, a pruning and shaping is possible without any problems. The optimal time for this measure is early spring, just before the new shoots. Take this opportunity to take a close look at the entire ground cover and thin it out if necessary. Corrective interventions with scissors are generally possible throughout the year.
- Prune large periwinkles to just above ground level
- At least one dormant eye per shoot must remain on the plant
- Only work with freshly sharpened and disinfected cutting tools
Please consider the toxic content of the Vinca major when cutting and all other maintenance work. You should not do without protective work gloves and long-sleeved clothing.
multiply
If the large periwinkle has inspired you to new design ideas with its voluminous habit, simply create more specimens. As part of a pruning, you have plenty of plant material in your hands for propagation by cuttings.
- Fill seed pots with a peat-sand mixture or coconut fiber
- Cut cuttings to a length of 10-15 cm
- Defoliate the lower half of the shoots and plant in the substrate
- Spray repeatedly in a semi-shady, warm place
Depending on the site conditions, the cuttings root within 4 weeks. If the roots grow out of the opening in the ground, ideally plant the large periwinkle as a small group in the bed or in the planter.
division
Another, uncomplicated form of propagation is in the spring by dividing the root ball. To do this, dig up the plant in March. The root ball can then be divided into two or more segments with a spade or a sharp knife. Each section is planted in the new location and immediately cared for like an adult large periwinkle.
Plants as ground cover
In general, Large Periwinkles can be planted at any time as long as the soil is not frozen. The flowering shrub finds optimal conditions in the context of autumn planting in September or October. At this time the soil is still warm, so the young roots can establish themselves well before winter. Next year, Vinca major will start the season with a significant growth advantage.
- Place the still potted Vinca major in a bowl of water
- Rake through the clod at the planting site and weed carefully
- Work the sifted compost and horn shavings into the soil
- Dig planting holes with twice the volume of the root ball
- Lay out a drainage made of grit or potsherds on the sole
- Plant large periwinkles and water generously
To get a dense carpet of flowering plants, planting 5 to 7 specimens per square meter is recommended.
Plants in tubs or balcony boxes
If you prefer cultivation in a planter, planting in April or May is an option. Depending on whether you combine tall periwinkles with other ornamental plants, wait until mid-May if they are not hardy plants.
- Place the Vinca major in the pot in the water and let it soak
- In the meantime, create drainage in the planter to prevent waterlogging
- Fill the pot or box three-quarters full with potting soil
- Put the plants in it, fill the gaps with substrate and water them
If you now allow for a 2 cm high pouring edge, you will not have any problems with wet substrate spilling over later.
hibernate
While the pure variety of Vinca major is largely hardy, variegated varieties run the risk of freezing back. The following protective measures may be necessary for overwintering in the bed:
- Cover varieties that are endangered by frost with leaves, straw or bast mats
- Water a little from time to time on frost-free days
- Remove the winter protection in good time in spring so that no mold develops
Large periwinkles in balcony boxes, buckets or hanging baskets generally require winter protection. The root ball must therefore be protected against frost so that it does not freeze through:
- Carry large periwinkles in a planter to a sheltered corner of the garden
- Place on a block of wood or a styrofoam board
- Wrap the tub or box in bubble wrap
- Cover the substrate surface with leaves or straw
Similar to Vinca major in the bed, plants in pots receive a well-measured dose of irrigation water on mild winter days. Damage caused by drought clearly outweighs damage caused by frost on hardy plants. Frozen back shoots recover in spring or are trimmed. A large periwinkle that withered during the winter can only be disposed of in the compost.
Care as a houseplant
Within the large genus periwinkle, Vinca major is the only representative that fulfills all the requirements as a decorative houseplant. In this regard, the two varieties ‘Variegata’ and ‘Reticulata’ in particular have excelled. Therefore, the following aspects of care in the home should not go unmentioned:
- Partly shaded location with morning or evening sun
- Temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius are ideal
- Water regularly in summer and spray with lime-free water
- Apply liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 2 to 3 weeks
There is nothing to be said against consistent care in the warm living room. After all, a short hibernation has a beneficial effect on the health and vitality of a Vinca major. Spend the plant from November to February in a cooler room at 15 degrees Celsius. The darker the light conditions here, the lower the water requirement. On the other hand, if there is enough light, the chances are that tall periwinkles will keep their pretty foliage. Do not apply fertilizer at this stage. If you want to have the periwinkle around you in the living room during the cold season, continue giving fertilizer. In this case apply a dose of liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks.
Conclusion
Large periwinkles impress with a multifaceted range of creative uses in the garden, a. If the flowering subshrub initially stretches upwards, the shoots then lie down to develop a compact cushion while creeping. Since Vinca major prefers semi-shady to shady locations and is hardy at the same time, it solves many a design problem in ornamental gardens. In view of the easy care, even the beginner succeeds in cultivation right away.
