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Family: Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Vinca (VIN-kuh) (Info) Species: minor (MY-nor) (Info) Cultivar: Illumination Additional cultivar information: (PP12132) Hybridized by Hensler; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1999
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade Light Shade Partial to Full Shade
Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Medium Blue
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall Mid Fall Blooms repeatedly
Foliage: Herbaceous Dark/Black
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing the rootball
Seed Collecting: N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Jan 30, 2013, HoosierGreen from Danville, IN wrote:
Although usually sold as an annual "spiller" for pots, this cultivar of Vinca minor is actually a tough perennial, hardy into Zone 4, possibly hardier. It makes a stunning ground cover for full shade, part shade, or mostly sun.
On May 28, 2009, skiekitty from Parker, CO (Zone 5b) wrote:
As of now, I have to give it a "neutral" rating. I planted it about a month ago and almost all 10 plants have started to grow. However, all of the new growth is a dark dark dark green rather than green/yellow. I'm just waiting patiently to see if it lightens up at all. Does flower nicely, however.
On Oct 22, 2006, darylmitchell from Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) wrote:
I bought this annual for its green-yellow foliage and put it in a container with several other annuals. It withstood a lot of adverse weather (prolonged rainfall followed by extreme heat) and didn't suffer. The foliage that got the most sunlight became a bit bleached, however. I wasn't expecting it to flower, but it did produce one lavender bloom in mid-summer. It's also considered an "everlasting" annual, because even when killed by frost, it retains its shape and colour as if still alive. Thus it can be left undisturbed over winter to provide winter interest.
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