Lesser Periwinkle - Vinca minor - €4 per plant

 A European native and evergreen perennial. Vinca minor makes excellent ground cover in shady areas, growing vigorously to forms dense and extensive mats along the forest floor. Commonly used in ornamental gardening the plants provides a valuable source of early nectar for bees and other pollinising insects.  A low maintenance plant  that is normally very easy to grow.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: 
  • native habitat: 
  • family: Apocynaceae

Predators and Pests


Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: sun - partial shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral, Alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9


Known Hazards


  • Once established, it is difficult to eradicate, 

Overview

  • Evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m by 0.3 m.
  • It is in flower from March to April
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, self.The plant is self-fertile. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Characteristics

  • form:Evergreen perennial
  • layer :Ground Layer
  • habit: spreading
  • height x width (m): 0.2 x 0.3  
  • productive life span: indefinite

Products 

  • Flowers The stems and foliage are often used in cut flower arrangements as well, providing a dark, glossy base or allowed to cascade over the vase's lip.
  • Medicinal: Ethnomedically, the dried leaves, aerial parts, and in some cases the entire plant of Vinca, are used to enhance blood circulation, including that of the brain, enhance metabolism in the brain, and to treat cardiovascular disorders. 

Functions, behaviours

  • plant young plants at  30 cm apart to form a dense mat within a few seasons. 
  • evergreen ground cover in shady locations and under woody plants.
  • Roots where stems touch the ground.
  • According to Müller of 19th century Germany, the nectar of the flowers attract bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, and bee flies (including Bombylius major).
If you would like this plant send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project