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
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to a rust
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.