Vinca minor
low
blue
May
4 to 6 in.
12 to 18 in.
No
Europe
sun, part shade, shade
USDA zones 4-8
hardy to 8,000 ft.
Periwinkle is a low-growing, spreading plant with glossy, dark green leaves. The long, ground-hugging stems will root as they spread, filling in bare soil.
The flowers are blue, single and bloom over a long period of time. Peak bloom occurs in May. Periwinkle may hold its leaves over the winter in an ideal planting site.
Periwinkle has been a long-lived, easy-to-grow groundcover at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. It grows best in partial shade. In full shade it rarely flowers. It is not well adapted to hot, dry, sunny areas.
No maintenance is required except removing it from unwanted spots.