About

This vigorous, prostrate evergreen sub-shrub with rooting stems bearing ovate, evergreen leaves, and short upright leafy stems with pale whitish-blue flowers 4cm across, in late winter and early spring.

About the genus

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

Growing conditions

SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesRock garden
Native toN Africa & SW Europe

Care notes

CultivationEasy to grow in all but the driest soils. Flowers best in full sun but very useful for shady areas. Can be invasive
PruningPruning group 6
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or autumn and by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust