How to Grow Periwinkle : Periwinkle is a small-sized flowering plant that produces white, purple and blue blossoms. Learn all you can about caring for and growing the periwinkles.
What Is Periwinkle?
Periwinkle ( Vinca minor) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family of flowering plants. The periwinkle plant is commonly known as lesser periwinkle as well as creeping myrtle. They are indigenous in Europe and are commonly used as groundcovers within North America.
Periwinkles mature to 6 inches in height, however they typically have long, trailing vines. It is easy to grow periwinkles in USDA zones four to eight, and then plant them in early spring, before the blooming season starts. Hanging baskets and window boxes can also make excellent arrangements for the periwinkle plant. Make sure you are aware of the fact that whole plant is poisonous to pets and humans alike.
How to Grow Periwinkle
Use these suggestions to help your periwinkle plants flourish.
Light
Partial sun or shade are great for the growth of the periwinkle plant. Avoid excessive direct sunlight to ensure your periwinkle is growing at an appropriate rate of growth. In the afternoon, intense sunlight can cause burns to your plants and cause them to die, so keep them from windows facing west if they are indoors.
Temperature
The goal is to protect your plants from extreme humidity and frost. Temperatures in the nighttime that reach fifty-five degrees or more are essential for periwinkle plants.
Soil
Different varieties of periwinkles can endure a range of conditions in the soil. Although a soil that is rich in compost is the ideal choice but poor soil conditions might be a problem for certain types of periwinkles. In any case, proper drainage is crucial for the development of perwinkles.
Watering
Keep the soil moist, but not completely wet. Periwinkles that are mature are able to withstand a short dry period. Fungal diseases can develop when the plant becomes excessively wet. To prevent this, you should directly sprinkle water on the soil instead of watering the leaves.
Fertilizing
Fertilizers that contain equal parts of nitrogen as well as phosphorus, nitrogen, along with potassium (NPK) are the most efficient for Periwinkles. Fertilize your periwinkle every month to increase the beauty of the foliage and the flower growth.
Pests
Scale insects, such as greedy scales and black scale typically attack the periwinkles. Aphid infestations can also happen and cause yellowing of leaves. Make use of a mild insecticide soap, dilute with water or neem oils to deal with pest issues.
6 Common Periwinkle Cultivars
There are a variety of varieties of periwinkle cultivars to pick from.
- 1. ‘ Jekyll’s White“: This periwinkle variety is brimming with white flowers.
- 2. ‘ Alba‘ The cultivar has white flowers that resemble the ‘Jekyll’s White” variety, however in less quantity.
- 3. ‘ Azurea Flore Pleno‘: With stunning vivid purple flowers, the “Azurea Flore Pleno blooms are doubled when they bloom.
- 4. ‘ Sterling Silver” A cultivated periwinkle is known for its deep blue blooms and leaves that have white edges.
- 5. ‘ Illumination‘ one of the latest perwinkle types, Illumination is distinct for its yellow splotch at the middle of every leaf.
- 6. ‘ Moonlit‘ is less tough than standard perwinkle, ‘Moonlit’ has double flowers with lavender hues with yellow variations.
