Vinca Species, Bigleaf Periwinkle, Blue Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle
Vinca major
Family: | Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Vinca (VIN-kuh) (Info) |
Species: | major (MAY-jor) (Info) |

Category:
Perennials
Shrubs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
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)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Lavender
Medium Purple
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
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:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Birmingham, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Dewey, Arizona
Goodyear, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Canoga Park, California
Clayton, California
Fairfield, California
Fortuna, California
Grass Valley, California
Merced, California
Mountain View, California
Oak View, California
Redwood City, California
WILSEYVILLE, California
Clifton, Colorado
Delray Beach, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Titusville, Florida
Venice, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Elburn, Illinois
Louisville, Kentucky
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Romeo, Michigan
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Red Wing, Minnesota
Mathiston, Mississippi
Waynesboro, Mississippi
Tijeras, New Mexico
Cincinnati, Ohio
Niles, Ohio
Jay, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Gold Hill, Oregon
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conway, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
Viola, Tennessee
Alice, Texas
Crockett, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Katy, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Salt Lake City, Utah
Syracuse, Utah
Madison, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Negative | On Mar 2, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: I've tried growing this in pots. A branch layered into the ground, and it's become an ineradicable weed. Glyphosate does nothing to it, and I've been unsuccessful at digging it out. |
Negative | On Sep 12, 2012, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: This plant is evil incarnate. It will invade fern to cactus beds,smothering on much or little watering. This plant would make John Muir throw his hands up in frustration, finally breaking down and use Roundup. Or even Paraquat. |
Neutral | On Sep 12, 2012, stephenp from Wirral, UK, Zone 9a, Bit of a nuisance here, it has let itself go in the wild and has colonised woodlands, and pretty much colonises anywhere it can find. It is a winter flowerer only here. |
Positive | On May 13, 2012, rickc304 from Niles, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: This plant is a good groundcover, I consider simievergreen. Grows back vigoursly in spring wile producing violet flowers then keeping its foliage through summer and then into the holiday season. |
Negative | On May 25, 2010, ZiggyGoodfellow from Beverly Hills, CA wrote: Why is this plant listed as "poisonous" in all parts? |
Positive | On Mar 29, 2010, carle from Katy, TX wrote: I live in the Houston area, and I have this plant growing in a flower bed - it gets afternoon shade. It is very drought tolerant, and prevents the weeds from forming because it is an excellent ground cover. It grows around my roses and shrubs and doesn't try to climb them. I love the blue flowers in spring time. This is an excellent plant for hot and humid areas. It spreads slowly but is not invasive or a problem. Perhaps our clay soil slows it down a little bit. I plan on transplanting it to other parts of my garden where I need to prevent weeds from taking over. The varigated leaves are very pretty even when it is not in bloom. |
Negative | On Oct 16, 2009, purplesun from Krapets, I don't like this plant. Although it is native here, it is aggressive and a nuisance to keep in bounds. My mom likes it though. |
Neutral | On Oct 14, 2009, jeffeljefe from Philadelphia, PA (Zone 6b) wrote: The invasiveness must be a climate issue (Cpt. Obvious reporting for duty) because I don't have a problem with it in 6b/7a Philadelphia. |
Negative | On May 1, 2009, gmclamb from Charlotte, NC wrote: I hate this stuff, it is a major headache. Does anyone know when these plants produce the seeds? I want to cut it back and start pulling up as soon as possibe but I don't want to do it if it has seeds that will spread even more than they already have. I live in N.C. and today is May 1, 2009. If anyone knows anything about this plant's timing on seeds please let me know at: [email protected] |
Positive | On Mar 21, 2009, giftgas from Everson, WA (Zone 7b) wrote: A much stronger grower than the variegated version...this is a great plant, I love it. |
Neutral | On Oct 20, 2008, rubygloomrox2 from Red Wing, MN wrote: I like this for the acidic shady area out back where nothing else grows under the pine tree. It's a fantastic filler plant. However, it was very neglected and when I moved in, the only thing growing here. So I've had to put in borders around it in order to keep it under control and be able to grow other plants. Otherwise nothing has a chance and anything else gets choked out. |
Negative | On Jun 13, 2008, tinabeana from Greenville, SC (Zone 8a) wrote: I have both vinca major and minor in my yard. Vinca major is the much more invasive of the two, growing over it's smaller sibling anywhere the two meet. Let me put it this way: you know a plant is invasive when it chokes out the baby bamboo that's randomly growing in your flower bed... I've pulled out a pile that overflowed a wheelbarrow, but unfortunately that was just one 10 x 2 ft area. |
Negative | On Jan 11, 2008, tbweber from Huntsville, AL wrote: Horribly invasive even when completely neglected. Roundup won't touch it, and digging makes only a small dent as the tiniest piece of root will continue to spread. Also loves to hide in other plants. My liriope is infested with vinca now. It does have pretty new foliage and blooms in February here, but by summer's heat it's just a tangle of vines, some 15 feet long. Will also jump any edging to take over your lawn. If you're in zone 7, please reconsider before adding this one - or come to my house with a shovel and large truck. |
Neutral | On Dec 15, 2006, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: Greater Periwinkle Vinca major is naturalized in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive plant in Texas. |
Neutral | On Jun 17, 2006, pforrester from Fallbrook, CA wrote: I bought a flat of periwinkle b/c I saw a large shaded bank covered with them in Santa Paula CA. So I just planted part of the flat (42plants) Under my trees. Hoping they will become groundcover without having to bring irrigation specifically to them. There are some drip hoses here and there and some might get some water from the grass sprinklers. I will report back. I hope they go everywhere. I am in zone 10b San Diego county. |
Positive | On May 5, 2006, enya_34 from Madison, WI wrote: Works well as a ground cover under white oak trees on the south and west side of the house. It coexists well with the interplanted ferns, hostas, Solomon seal and spring bulbs. |
Negative | On Dec 26, 2005, taraAthan from Redwood Valley, CA wrote: Vinca major is invasive in riparian (streambank) areas in California and other Western US states. Problems it causes are displacement of native species, erosion and bank destabilization, and it is a host for the insect pests blue-green and glassy-winged sharpshooters, which carry Peirce's disease, a pathogen of vineyards and orchards. |
Positive | On Jul 16, 2005, m8urnett from Syracuse, UT wrote: Grows great on the north side of my house in full shade and on the south side in full sun. Doesn't take much to keep the runners under control. |
Positive | On Apr 4, 2005, JaxFlaGardener from Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: I have the variegated form of this plant growing as a ground cover in one of my flower beds. It is spreading, as desired, and currently in bloom. It provides an interesting, low-growing background for my other plants. |
Neutral | On Sep 28, 2004, pokerboy from Canberra, This plant can become very invasive however if caught early it is easy to eradicate. It is primarily grown for its flowers however it is sometimes grown for its foliage. Very drought tolerant. pokerboy. |
Negative | On Nov 7, 2003, Kelli from L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Very invasive in this climate (low-elevation, non-desert southern California) and very hard to get rid of. Has naturalized in the wild. |