Vinca minor Alba

Vinca minor 'Alba' is a very good evergreen groundcover, highly adaptable and capable of covering large areas even in difficult conditions such as at the base of trees. From spring to summer, it produces small pure white star-shaped flowers that brighten up the undergrowth.

The white periwinkle belongs to the Apocynaceae family, which also includes many ornamental plants such as milkweeds or Amsonia. In its wild form, it can be found all over Europe, extending to Asia, where it occupies both the undergrowth and rocky areas. 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8in) tall, it produces long stolons that root as they progress, allowing the plant to spread over vast spaces when it thrives, forming a fairly dense carpet. However, it is more hospitable than its close relative the greater periwinkle (Vinca major), which can be quite invasive in favourable conditions and suffocate its neighbours. The white periwinkle remains low and, although extremely resilient, does little harm to the plants growing alongside it. Its charming small white flowers, tightly curled up, bring a lot of light and freshness to dark areas from March to June, even though it can also grow in light sun. It sometimes blooms again in late summer. The small evergreen, ovate leaves are a shiny dark green colour and enhance this effect.

This plant is suitable for use in difficult environments, such as a shaded areas under trees, on a slope with not too intense sunlight, or in between other shade-loving perennials. In this case, combine it with large ferns such as Polystichum setiferum, Dryopteris filix-mas, Athyrium filix-femina, and other semi-shade or shade-loving perennials such as masterworts, hostas, or even Begonia grandis in a fairly mild climate.