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Vinca minor 'Bowles's Variety'

lesser periwinkle 'Bowles's Variety'

A vigorous, evergreen mat-forming perennial to 20cm in height, with dark green, ovate leaves and violet-blue flowers 2.5-3cm in width

Other common names
lesser periwinkle 'La Grave'
Synonyms
Vinca minor 'Bowles's Blue'
Vinca minor 'La Grave'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full shade
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Apocynaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Vinca can be evergreen subshrubs or herbaceous perennials, with simple, paired leaves and solitary, 5-lobed, salver-shaped flowers in the leaf axils

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in all but the driest soils. Flowers best in full sun but very useful for shady areas. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Wall side borders
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust

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