Vinca major

Vinca major, also known as greater periwinkle, is a vigorous and hardy creeping perennial. Its long stems grow rapidly to form a thick groundcover that thrives in both shade and sun. Its beautiful evergreen and glossy green leaves provide a backdrop for the numerous blue flowers that appear from April onwards. Perfect for spreading under trees, shrubs, or even around larger perennials and for covering bare soil, it also thrives in containers and will provide coverage throughout the year.

The greater periwinkle is a creeping perennial belonging to the Apocynaceae family. It thrives in hedges, woodlands, and shady rock gardens. It has elongated stems that are woody at the base and produce roots where they come in contact with the ground. This characteristic allows it to spread over an area exceeding one square meter if not contained. Its stems are covered with oval, acuminate leaves with ciliated edges and a beautiful glossy green colour. The leaves are tough, evergreen, and, along with the tangled stems, form a dense mat that reaches a height of 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in). In spring, pretty flowers of a blue-violet colour bloom. The flowers consist of five fused lobes forming a corolla, wider at the top and obliquely truncate, measuring 4 cm (2in) in diameter. While abundant in sunny areas, they are less numerous in shaded locations but still present.

Vinca major is a great choice for naturally colonising areas that are often left bare and unappreciated. It prefers moist soil but can tolerate drought and poor soil. Whether at the base of a wall, on a slope, or under a hedge, it will find nourishment and space to grow while providing evergreen vegetation and natural flowering. When suspended or planted in containers, it will create a beautiful trailing decorative display.