Overview
Vinca minor 'Alba' is a matforming groundcover in the genus Vinca, part of the Apocynaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.2 m tall. Vinca minor 'Alba' grows best in full sun and full shade, and tolerates most soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include ground cover and erosion control. It is native to Central and southern Europe.
About
Vinca minor is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family, native to central and southern Europe. Other vernacular names used in cultivation include small periwinkle, common periwinkle, and sometimes in the United States, myrtle or creeping myrtle.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Vinca minor
About the genus
Vinca is an Old World genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus. Some Vinca species are cultivated but have also spread invasively.
Wikipedia contributors, "Vinca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Vinca
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Vinca
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Full shade
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Vinca minor 'Alba' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Groundcover
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Suggested uses
- Ground cover, Erosion control
- Native to
- Central and southern Europe
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Vinca minor 'Alba'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates shade; avoid waterlogging
- Pruning
- Trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings, division
- Pest resistance
- Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Rust
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Vinca minor 'Alba'?
Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates shade; avoid waterlogging.
Where is the best place to plant Vinca minor 'Alba'?
Vinca minor 'Alba' prefers full sun and full shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Vinca minor 'Alba' need?
Vinca minor 'Alba' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
How do I prune Vinca minor 'Alba'?
Trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness.
How big does Vinca minor 'Alba' grow?
Vinca minor 'Alba' reaches a height of 0.2 m.
Is Vinca minor 'Alba' hardy in the UK?
Vinca minor 'Alba' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Vinca minor 'Alba'?
Stem cuttings, division.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Vinca genus
- Vinca difformisintermediate periwinkle
- Vinca difformis subsp. sardoaSardinian intermediate periwinkle
- Vinca minor 'Bowles's Variety'Common Periwinkle
- Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll'Lesser Periwinkle