Periwinkle (Vinca) is an evergreen perennial plant that combines decorative foliage appeal, delicate flowering, and exceptional hardiness. In Ukraine, it is widely used as a groundcover crop for landscaping shaded areas, creating green carpets, stabilizing slopes, and giving gardens a natural charm.
From a botanical point of view, periwinkle belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), and its genus includes about 12 species. The most common cultivated species are lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor), greater periwinkle (Vinca major), and herbaceous periwinkle (Vinca herbacea). All of them have creeping shoots that root at the nodes and form a dense green carpet.
The plant usually reaches 10–30 cm in height. The leaves are leathery, glossy, evergreen, and oval-shaped, arranged oppositely. The flowers have five petals, are solitary, and measure 2–5 cm in diameter. They are most often blue or violet, though white, pink, and purple forms also occur. Periwinkle begins flowering in early spring — in April — and may continue until June, with occasional flowers appearing throughout the summer.
One of periwinkle’s main advantages is its winter hardiness and adaptability. In Ukraine, lesser periwinkle and herbaceous periwinkle successfully overwinter without cover in all regions, including Polissia and the Carpathians. Greater periwinkle is more heat-loving and performs better in the southern and central regions.
Periwinkle is important not only as an ornamental plant, but also as part of Ukrainian cultural heritage. In folk tradition, it symbolizes love, fidelity, and eternal memory. It was woven into wedding wreaths, used in funeral ceremonies, and included in spring rituals. Today, periwinkle is also actively used in floristry — in arrangements, borders, and as a background for bright flowering plants.
Thanks to its versatility, periwinkle is an indispensable plant in landscape design. It suppresses weed growth, protects the soil from erosion, does not require complicated care, remains decorative all year round, and combines well with other plants such as ferns, heucheras, hostas, tulips, and daffodils.
To grow periwinkle successfully, it is extremely important to choose the right planting site and provide suitable soil. Periwinkle prefers partial shade or diffused light, but it can also grow in full sun, especially herbaceous periwinkle, and even in deep shade. In sunny places, the plant develops faster but needs more moisture, and the leaves may scorch. In shade, periwinkle forms a denser green cover but flowers less abundantly.
Periwinkle is undemanding when it comes to soil, but it grows best in light, loose, well-drained substrates. The ideal option is loamy or sandy-loam soil enriched with organic matter. The preferred acidity is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). On heavy clay soils, especially where moisture stagnates, it develops more slowly.
It is best to begin preparing the site in advance. The area is cleared of weeds and stones, then dug to a depth of 20–25 cm. Compost (3–5 kg/m²), humus, wood ash, or lime are added if the soil is acidic. Sand may be added to improve drainage. It is very important to make sure water does not stagnate, especially in low-lying places or near northern walls.
Periwinkle is planted in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October). Summer planting is also possible, provided regular watering is ensured. The plant roots quickly, especially with sufficient warmth and moisture.
The planting scheme depends on the purpose. To create a carpet-like cover, periwinkle is planted at intervals of 20–30 cm. Along borders, 25–40 cm is recommended. It should be planted at the same depth as it was growing in the container. After planting, mulching with peat, bark, or straw is recommended.
Periwinkle can be propagated not only by seedlings or division of the clump, but also by cuttings and layering. Creeping shoots lying on the ground root on their own — this feature is especially convenient for stabilizing slopes, creating living borders, and greening shaded places.
Periwinkle is a plant that requires minimal care, especially after it has rooted well. Still, to achieve the best ornamental effect, rapid spreading, and abundant flowering, it is important to follow basic cultivation practices.
Watering. Young plants need regular watering, especially during the first season after planting. Later, periwinkle easily tolerates short dry periods. During drought, especially in sunny areas or in the southern regions of Ukraine, watering once a week is recommended. Excess moisture is harmful and may cause root collar rot.
Mulching around the root zone helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil loose. Suitable mulches include peat, humus, bark, and cut grass. The optimal layer is 3–5 cm.
Weeding and loosening are mainly needed during the first year after planting. As it spreads, periwinkle effectively suppresses weeds on its own. If the clumps become too dense, they should be thinned, and the soil loosened to improve aeration.
Pruning is not mandatory, but it greatly improves the plant’s appearance, stimulates branching, and makes the cover denser. The best time is spring or immediately after the first wave of flowering ends. The shoots may be shortened by one-third or even by half. Dry, weak, or damaged branches are removed completely.
Feeding. Periwinkle is not particularly demanding when it comes to nutrients, but it responds well to fertilization. In spring, it is advisable to apply a complex mineral fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to encourage active leaf growth. During budding and flowering, phosphorus-potassium feeding is suitable, such as ash or superphosphate. In autumn, a small amount of compost or humus may be added.
It is worth remembering that the root system of periwinkle is shallow. Therefore, all cultivation practices, especially loosening, should be done very carefully.
Periwinkle is a fairly resistant plant, but under excessive moisture, overcrowded planting, or poor ventilation, diseases and pests may appear.
Common diseases:
Fusarium causes wilting and yellowing of the shoots. Treatment includes removing the affected parts and applying fungicides such as Fundazol or Previcur.
Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on the leaves, especially in humid weather and shade. Control measures include Topaz or Skor.
Gray rot develops when water stagnates and affects shoots and leaves.
Bacterial leaf spots appear as dark spots on the foliage. Damaged parts should be removed, and the plant treated with antiseptic preparations.
Prevention: maintaining proper spacing between plants, annual sanitary pruning, removing fallen leaves, controlling moisture, and moderate watering.
Pests:
Aphids suck sap from young shoots and deform the leaves. Control methods include soapy water, Fitoverm, or Actellic.
Slugs appear in damp, shaded places and chew the leaves. Control methods include ash, traps, and pine-needle mulch.
Spider mites appear in hot weather. They are treated with acaricides.
Nematodes are rare, but may damage the roots. A symptom is swelling on the roots. Affected plants are best removed.
With proper care, periwinkle rarely gets sick and usually does not require frequent use of chemical protection.
Periwinkle is one of the few ornamental groundcover plants that winters successfully in open ground across most of Ukraine. The hardiest are lesser periwinkle and herbaceous periwinkle. Greater periwinkle may partially freeze in northern regions without protection.
Wintering. In Polissia, the Forest-Steppe, and the Steppe, periwinkle does not require special protection. Young plantings in the first year are best mulched with peat, dry leaves, spruce branches, or covered with agrofiber. Before winter, it is advisable to prune the plant, remove dead branches, and add a layer of mulch.
In mild winters, periwinkle keeps its green leaves and quickly recovers in spring. The growing season begins at temperatures of +5 to +7 °C.
Propagation:
By cuttings — shoots 10–15 cm long are rooted in a loose substrate or directly in open ground.
By layering — shoots lying on the soil can be covered with earth. By the next season, a new plant will have formed.
By division — in spring or autumn, a large clump is divided into several parts.
By seed — rarely used, because varietal traits are not preserved.
The most convenient methods are layering or cuttings: the plant roots quickly and fills large areas fast.
Periwinkle holds an important place in the greening of both naturalistic and ornamental gardens. It is often used as a background plant, but it can also serve as a central element in shaded garden compositions.
It is most often used:
for creating green carpets under trees;
in alpine gardens and rockeries;
as a border along paths and flower beds;
for stabilizing slopes and ravines;
in container planting — hanging pots and balconies.
Periwinkle combines well with bulb plants such as tulips and daffodils, shade-loving perennials such as hostas, astilbes, and ferns, as well as conifers such as arborvitae and junipers.
Its color range extends from classic blue to white, pink, and purple. It looks especially striking in contrast with plants that have yellow or silvery foliage.
Periwinkle is an ideal plant for landscaping shaded and partially shaded places in Ukraine. It is undemanding, frost-hardy, decorative all year round, easy to propagate, and gives the garden natural beauty with minimal effort from the gardener.
