PlantFiles: Variegated Greater Periwinkle
Vinca major 'Variegata'

Very invasive. Took over an entire bed, growing over all the other plants despite frequent pulling. Also had to keep it trimmed off the driveway. I uploaded a picture of how it looked after 3-4 years. A few years later, we gave up and pulled it all out. On the plus side, that got rid of it, unlike some other invasive plants which are hard to kill by pulling (e.g.: primrose).

I bought my plants this spring '09 from Home Depot, which may have been my first mistake as I have a friend who says plants from there are "souless". Most of them seem to grow rapidly (some remain stunted) but the leaves on almost all the plants at some point or another turn brown on the edges and curl up; it's most unattractive. The plant seems to not like western sun in Montgomery AL (for which I can hardly blame it). Also, I read somewhere that these plants don't care to be watered from overhead!! and the variegated variety is susceptible to crown rot which looks like some sort of gall growing on the plant (and the leaves turning brown, and the plant not getting bigger). I am very close to pulling it all up except in the shade. ANY thoughts you all have would be appreciated.

In my climate (borderline Zones 8b/9a), Vinca major 'variegata' is at its best in early spring (February - April). That's when the blue flowers appear and the creeping vines seem most full. It tends to hug closer to the ground and be flatter when warmer weather comes. It will wilt somewhat in hot, dry weather but is drought tolerant and will flush out again when watered.

It grows a bit taller (about 1 ft in arching vines) than I want in most groundcover plants, but it can be used as an underplanting for taller perennials in shade or partial sun or as a stand alone plant to cover problem areas. It spreads by the vines touching the ground and taking root, but the progression is relatively slow in my garden (spread about 5 ft in 6 years).

It is easily propagated by pulling up sections of the rooted runners.

It works great as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or specimen planters.

Jeremy

I'm in zone 5a. Have used for 10 years in container plantings ,treating it as an annual. Within the past 5 or so years, it has become a perennial in the shadier, moist garden areas. The past 2 winters, 07-08 and 08-09 were particularly harsh, lots of snow but temperatures dipping into -30's so I'm suprised at the hardiness of this plant.

While I wouldn't say it is as invasive as vinca minor (which can be awfully invasive), the variegated Vinca Major now seems to be coming up, as a hardy groundcover. Clump forming, with a trailing habit.

So far, it seems fairly easy to contain. But, will be on watch out.

It looks pretty good, but doesn't grow very fast in tough areas. I'd much rather have the invasive "green" version. It snowed pretty good this year, and the plants survived with only minimal leaf scorch; they must have been under the snow for 2 months straight.

I haven't got a single bloom in over 2 years (the plant is grown in part shade).

The plant is beautiful, hardy, but so invasive if not kept trimmed back in our area of Virginia.

My friend and neighbor had the vinca minor version that was terribly invasive and she couldn't get rid of it, even when pulling each plant out by hand.

So, I was hesitant to plant this major version, but the pretty variegated foliage won me out. I only planted 3 and watched them warily over the last year.

This spring, they were the first thing to bloom in my shady garden and those precious little flowers have warmed my heart. They are twice as big as last year, with some rather long runners seeking out new ground. I'm putting more in because I can see how easy it is to cut them down and remove the runners from unwanted areas. You can chop them mercilessly, and they will go on! Meanwhile, I will be able to fill in areas between my ferns, hostas, and cast iron plants and brighten up the shady area with the variegated color.

This grows in my rock garden as a perennial w/ a heavy leaf mulch here in zone 5. It dies back to the ground and comes back each spring, that keeps it from becoming invasive here. If you want more plants, use the layering method and be sure to mulch them well before frost. If you don't want any new plants just let the frost hit the vines and you'll never have to bother with them.

This is perennial in my zone 5a garden, though I have heard that we are now unofficially zone 6. I love it for lighting shady areas. It is easy to pull out of areas I don't want it; it seems easier to control than Vinca minor.

The foliage can be eye-catching as a hanging plant too, draped over a porch wall from a pot, or grown from a window box.

I have grown this plant for two seasons - last winter was particularly brutal - in zone 5. I did not believe it would be hardy here, but seems to do well in the shady area and stony soil in which it is planted. Does not seem invasive in my garden.

Easy growing, once planted it does not require alot of care. I don't have a problem with it being invasive. Handles our 90 degree + humid summers in a shaded area. I have it under a hydrangea and an azalea. Begonias are also in the area and it hasn't taken over.

This is my favorite groundcover. Less invasive than ivy or ajuga. Looks good all year. Deer Resistant. Wilts somewhat in full sun with constant temperatures over 90 degrees F. So keep watered during hot dry spells. I heard that vinca has medicinal qualities, lowers blood pressure, etc? But it is also stated that vinca is posionous if eaten? So be careful til you search it out, and check with your doctor. I am going to check with my Extension Service also. I am not a medical authority. But I sure like the way it looks.

Makes an excellent groundcover. Will grow under a tree without extra care under normal conditions filling in where few other plants will survive. It is beautiful just for the foliage but very attractive blooming. I highly recommend it for a groundcover.

Very invasive and nearly impossible to completely eradicate. Roots wherever the stems touch the ground. Drought tolerant, but doesn't look good in hot weather.

Can be invasive, but can also be easily trimmed back.

Low growing prostrate groundcover, coarser texture than V. minor. Variegated leaves of yellowish white and green. Blue spring flowers. Fast growing given moist soil, part shade. Common florist plant.