Vinca major

Vinca major Flower (07/04/2012, London)

Position: Full sun to full shade

Flowering period: Spring to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Apocynaceae

Vinca major is a low growing, evergreen spreading perennial sub-shrub. Its dark green glossy leaves are opposite, orbicular to lanceolate, up to 7cm long and 5cm broad. Its flowering stems are erect and its vegetative stems are arching and trailing, with leaves along its length. These will produce roots at their nodes. Its purple hermaphrodite flowers are solitary with a five lobed corolla, are up to 5cm across and appear in the leaf axils. The roots of this plant are rhizomatous and stoloniferous and aid in its spread.

Vinca major, commonly known as Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle or Blue Periwinkle, is native to southern Europe and northern Africa. In its native habitat it is found in moist woodlands, hedgerows and river banks. This plant is an invasive species in parts of the USA, Australia and New Zealand, smothering the native groundcover vegetation. It is particularly problematic in riparian habitats. It has been cultivated in the UK since 1597.

The etymological root of the binomial name Vinca is derived from the Latin vincuum ‘bond’ or ‘imprisonment’, alluding to the plants smothering runners. Major is from the Latin meaning ‘larger’.

Vinca major (07/04/2012, London)

The landscape architect may find Vinca major useful as an effective low ground cover plant, particularly in shady locations. It is very useful in areas which receive little maintenance, such as banks. It will tolerate periods of drought once established. The upper part of this plant will die back to below ground level and the plant is less invasive at the lower end of its hardiness range.

Ecologically, Vinca major is attractive to bees.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Vinca major ‘Elegantissima’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Vinca major prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Vinca major requires little maintenance.