Vinca minor 'Illumination' (Periwinkle) – Variegated Evergreen Ground Cover (2L Pot)

Vinca minor 'Illumination' is a hardy evergreen periwinkle that carpets difficult ground with glossy leaves and starry flowers from spring into summer.

It grows 10 to 20cm tall and spreads 40 to 90cm or more, rooting as it runs to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat of small, glossy, oval leaves. 'Illumination' is one of the variegated-leaved forms, grown as much for its bright foliage as for its flowers.

Plant it in full sun, partial shade or full shade; it flowers most freely with some light and covers the ground just as well in deep shade. Any reasonable, well-drained soil will do and it copes with dry spells once established, which makes it a good answer for the dry shade under a hedge or a big tree. Use it under trees and shrubs, on banks, along path edges or spilling over a wall or container. A light trim after flowering keeps it neat. This is the lesser periwinkle, the manageable one for a border; Vinca major is a far more vigorous plant best kept to rough banks.

Supplied as an established plant in a 2L pot, ready to plant out at about 30 to 45cm spacing for ground cover.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Lesser periwinkle
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 10 to 20cm x 40 to 90cm
• Growth Habit: Low, spreading, trailing ground cover
• Perfect For: Ground cover, underplanting, banks, shaded borders, woodland gardens, containers
• Foliage: Evergreen, glossy, oval
• Flowering Time: Spring to early summer, with occasional later flowers
• Planting Position: Full sun, partial shade or full shade
• Soil Type: Any well-drained to moderately moist soil
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Very low
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer flowers over evergreen foliage
• Type: Hardy evergreen perennial

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