Plants > Shrubs

greater periwinkle

Vinca major

Genus: Vinca
Family: Apocynaceae
Common Names: band plant, creeping myrtle, cut-finger, flower of death, grave myrtle, ground myrtle, large periwinkle, quater, sorcerer's violet

About this plant

V. major is a vigorous evergreen sub-shrub forming a clump of erect stems bearing glossy ovate leaves and solitary violet-blue flowers 4cm wide in the leaf axils, with long rooting sterile stems making effective ground cover

Growing Information

Height

0.1-0.5 Metres

Spread

1.5-2.5 Metres

Hardiness

H6

Foliage

Evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full ShadeFull SunPartial Shade

Soil

ClayChalkLoamSandy

pH

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Acid

Alkaline

Neutral

Moisture

Poorly DrainedMoist But Well DrainedWell Drained

Aspect

North FacingEast FacingSouth FacingWest Facing

Exposure

ShelteredExposed

Care Guide

Cultivation

Easy to grow in all but the driest soils. Flowers best in full sun but very useful for shady areas. Can be invasive

Pruning

Pruning group 6

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn and by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Pests

Can get aphids

Diseases

May be subject to a rust

Garden Uses

Uses

Ground CoverCottage InformalFlower Borders

Planting Places

Pond MarginsSubmerged Aquatic

Season of Interest

SpringSummerAutumn

Size & Characteristics

Height

0.1-0.5 Metres

Spread

1.5-2.5 Metres

Habit

Trailing

Time to Full Height

Five To Ten Years