The Periwinkle, Vinca minor's Mature Spread is 1 - 3 feet, Soil Type Widely Adaptable, Moisture Moist to Medium, Mature Form 6 - 12 inches, Growth Rate Fast, Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Shade, Flower Color Purple, Fall Color Evergreen, Flowering Date April to Frost, Foliage Color Green, P Size Blue or Purple, Zones 4-9.

The Periwinkle, Vinca minor, is also known as Trailing Myrtle, Dwarf Periwinkle and Creeping Myrtle. This species of Periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. Trailing stems with smooth, evergreen leaves (to 1.5" long) root at the nodes as they go along the ground and quickly spread to form an attractive ground cover.

Tubular, lavender blue, phlox-like flowers (to 1 inch across) appear in the leaf axils in spring and continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall. Foliage will mound up to 6" tall.

Periwinkles are used as a versatile ground cover and provide good cover for bulb beds. Effective on slopes or banks to stabilize soils and prevent erosion. Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.

It tolerates full shade, but it prefers moist, humusy soils in part shade. Plant 12-18" apart to cover large areas. This evergreen perennial is similar in all ways to Vinca Major except the flower is a little smaller.