Tom Von Lahndorff
Tom Von Lahndorff
Also see: Periwinkle
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Common Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)

Vinca Minor, or more commonly known as Common Periwinkle, is a vine forb/herb with dark green foliage and blue flowers of the genus Vinca. It has a moderate growth rate and a height of .3 feet at maturity. Its duration is perennial which means it will grow year after year. Its active growth period is spring and summer, blooms during early summer and is tolerant of shade. Vinca Minor or Common Periwinkle’s floral region is North America US Lower 48, specifically in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Related Plants:

  • Symbol: VIMI2
  • Scientific Name: Vinca minor
  • Common Name: Common Periwinkle
  • PLANTS Floristic Area: NA (L48 CAN)
  • Category: Dicot
  • Genus: Vinca
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Order: Gentianales
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Duration: Perennial
  • Growth Habit: Vine Forb/herb
  • Native Status: L48 (I) CAN (I)
  • Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer
  • Flower Color: Blue
  • Foliage Color: Dark Green
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height Mature (feet): .3
  • Lifespan: Long
  • Low Growing Grass: No
  • Drought Tolerance: Medium
  • Frost Free Days Minimum: 130
  • pH (Minimum): 5.5
  • pH (Maximum): 7.7
  • Precipitation (Minimum): 30
  • Precipitation (Maximum): 60
  • Root Depth Minimum (inches): 8
  • Shade Tolerance: Tolerant
  • Temperature Minimum (°F): -33
  • Bloom Period: Early Summer

One Response to “Common Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)”

  1. tomvon said:

    I bought some bare root Vinca about 2 years ago to use as ground cover for some shady areas where grass wouldn’t take. It was my understanding that it was invasive but so far that doesn’t seem to be the case in my experience. I was actually hoping it would spread faster than it does. I had a major cold spell hit after I planted them and many died off, however the ones that survived seem to be pretty hearty. This spring was the first time they started flowering. They look great and are pretty sturdy once they take root, but again, I wish they spread a little faster.

    May 16th, 2009 at 6:35 pm

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