Greater periwinkle
Vinca major · Apocynaceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
⚠️ Alcaloïdes dans toutes les parties; ingestion cause troubles digestifs graves et cardiaques chez chiens/chats/enfants.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant greater periwinkle: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green and glossy
- Flowering
- April to May, blue-violet or white flowers
- Mature size
- 30 cm tall, spreading and trailing habit
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Good, down to -15 °C
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Origin
- South and Central-Eastern Europe, Mediterranean basin
- Soil type
- Any soil, even chalky, preferably well-drained
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Greater Periwinkle spreads along the ground but loves moist, rich soil. Mulch with compost to encourage rooting.
The common mistake
Planting it in dry, compacted soil—it stays sparse and thin.
The pro's trick
Plant in masses in shaded woodland areas: it's its natural habitat and it'll cover quickly.
Care
Exposure
Greater periwinkle tolerates partial shade well and develops without difficulty there. It also accepts full sun, but prefers a sheltered part-shade location for optimal flowering. Avoid areas that are too wet or permanently waterlogged.
Watering
Water moderately after planting to establish the root system well. Once established, periwinkle is quite hardy and tolerates dry periods. In a pot, check that the soil doesn't dry out completely; in the ground, occasional summer watering is enough.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to thicken the habit and control its spread. It can become invasive, so regular pruning will keep it within bounds. Remove dead or damaged stems in late winter.
Soil and planting
Greater periwinkle adapts to most soils, even chalky ones. Well-drained soil prevents water accumulation. Plant in autumn or spring, spacing plants 30-40 cm apart for quick ground cover.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer isn't essential. A compost or mulch layer on the surface in spring is enough to maintain fertility. If growth seems weak, a balanced fertilizer in spring can help, but don't overdo it.
Diseases and pests
Generally robust. Watch out for powdery mildew in humid climates or if plants are overcrowded. Root rot can occur in waterlogged soil. Check drainage and air circulation between plants.
Did you know?
Greater periwinkle was once associated with memory and fidelity, and lovers would exchange sprigs of it. In traditional European phytotherapy, it long enjoyed a reputation as a tonic, although the alkaloid vinblastine discovered in the Vinca genus became a major molecule in modern cancer chemotherapy.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Lesser periwinkleVinca minor
- OleanderNerium oleander
- Asiatic jasmineTrachelospermum asiaticum
- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- AmatunguluCarissa macrocarpa
- NosegaytreePlumeria alba
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.