It's a variegated form of Vinca major, also known as greater periwinkle.It's also known as bigleaf periwinkle (Vinca major ‘Variegata'), and the "variegated" part of its name means that the leaves of the plant exhibit markings of different colors.When planted outdoors, it's an … This restraint makes Vinca minor ‘Illuminations’ more suitable for smaller beds and borders, and also for planting in containers and baskets. Vinca minor vs Vinca major Apart from size, which is sometimes hard to judge, there is one key difference between the two. It has broader leaves, larger flowers, grows taller (12-18" versus 3-8" tall) and has twice as many chromosomes as Vinca minor. … Its leaves, flowers and growth rate are about two-thirds those of Vinca major. The species name major refers to the larger size in respect of the similar Vinca minor L. Periwinkle (Vinca) is a type of the family of the dog-poison-seed-seed (Apocynaceae), that is spread from Europe to West-Asia and to which approximately a scarcely dozen types are counted. Rejuvenate old vinca ground cover plants by cutting it back by … May 24, 2020 - Vinca major and Vinca minor, the popular ornamental plants, are known for their dense glossy evergreen foliage and delicate purple-blue flowers. The leaves of Vinca minor are smaller than those of Vinca major. Borne over a long period, they continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall and are valuable for enlivening … Vinca minor (common names lesser periwinkle or dwarf periwinkle) is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, native to central and southern Europe, from Portugal and France north to the Netherlands and the Baltic States, east to the Caucasus, and also southwestern Asia in Turkey. The vinca plant tolerates heat well and continues to flower even in the hottest weather. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Vinca major NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Vinca major will grow in any soil type including clay. They’re both smooth, but Vinca major has … 1111 Washington Street SE Olympia WA 98504. Vinca minor or major will do well in shade, and spread and fill in fairly quickly, depending upon how far you space the original plants. Vinca minor, Vinca majoris less cold hardy, more tolerant of heat, has broader, hairier leaves, larger flowers, and twice as many chromosomes. P.O Box 42560 Olympia, WA 98504-2560. noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov. Vinca minor and Vinca major are evergeen vines (or groundcovers) that much prefer moist shade. There might be some pink cultivars. across (5 cm), appear in mid-spring and continue to flower … Periwinkles are fast growing, evergreen ground cover plants with opposing pairs of glossy dark green or variegated, oblong to lance shaped, 1½"-3" leaves. The stems of these plants root at their joints as they creep along the ground and spread rapidly to become a pretty flowering ground cover able to fill in a large area an… Preferred growing conditions: Plant Vinca minor in compost enriched, acidic loam. Synonyms: Vinca pubescenes, Vinca major var.variegata Common names: periwinkle; bigleaf periwinkle; greater periwinkle; blue periwinkle; myrtle Vinca major (big periwinkle) is a spreading perennial vine or ground cover (family Apocynaceae) with dark green stems that … Vinca minor is a popular ground cover plant is a smaller version of its vigorous relative, greater periwinkle. It will rebloom intermittantly throughout the year. Vinca minor is hardy to zone 3 and once established can handle extreme drought as long as it's planted in shade. They produce an abundance of single, 1"-2" funnel shaped flowers with five flared and flattened petals, beginning in mid-spring and … There is also a herbaceous vinca, but we won’t get into that. In our native deciduous forests there are two of them: the Great Periwinkle and the Small Periwinkle (Vinca major and Vinca minor). The major difference between vinca major and minor is the size of the leaves, with vinca major being wider and larger, while vinca minor is more streamlined and narrow, as you can see in the photos above and below. They can be invasive and hard to get rid of in some areas. Additional Photos. Vinca major and vinca minor are shade-loving ground covers, and vinca vine is a trailer with variegated leaves often used in window boxes and containers. The hardy strong growing Vinca Minor is a good choice groundcover for hillsides , in shaded areas, poor soil, and other barren areas. Like us on Facebook! Flower forms can be single or … What makes Bowles Vinca Minor vigorous is that it appears to be a naturally occurring hybrid with Vinca major, the other periwinkle we sometimes grow in our gardens. The best of the common ground covers to my mind is vinca minor, which is probably best obtained by begging a start from a gardening friend in May or before. They are always blue or white. They grow to only a few inches high and cover the ground quickly. Variegated vinca goes by many names. Periwinkle: Vinca Major, a sea of knee-high green. Violet-Blue flowers, 2 in in any soil type including clay flower forms can be invasive and hard to rid. Rid of in some areas flowers, 2 in will grow in any soil type clay... 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