Vinca major. Greater periwinkle. C15

Vinca major or Greater periwinkle is an herbaceous perennial plant which belongs to the apocynaceae family. 

The interest of this plant lies on its capacity as a groundcover plant for shady areas.

It  is a typical plant of the Mediterranean region. Normally used as ground cover plant in gardens or rockery, although it can also be grown in a pot or for hanging baskets.

From spring to summer it shows its isolated flowers, with between 3 and 5 centimeters in diameter, and blue or purple petals.

It is a plant with poor resistance to frost and direct light. It will grow better if we keep it in semi-shade.

For a better development use a rich an moist soil, providing it of a proper drainage system.

Once Vinca major is well settled in the ground it will become a drought tolerant plant.

Trim vinca when it is too big or messy in almost any time of the year. If its growth is normal by the end of the winter is a good time for rejuvenating the plant.

Do not overwater this creeping plant as there is risk of fungus problems in the roots as well as in the leaves, such as leaf spot, mildiu, or root rot.

Regarding garden pets it can be attacked by the common ones such as aphids.