Bigleaf Periwinkle

Bigleaf Periwinkle

Vinca major

Apocynaceae - Dogbane Family

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ ▼ variegated foliage

▲ green foliage (variegated plants often revert to all-green with time, and plants from seed are also usually all-green)

Vinca major: Bigleaf Periwinkle

Location near campus: various - often included in flower planters

semi-woody, non-climbing vine/spreading groundcover with oval, opposite, entire-margined, evergreen leaves about 1-1.5" wide and 2-3" long
common cultivar has variegated leaves with white leaf margins
plant height is 12-18"
has bright blue axillary flowers in early spring
marginally hardy here (Zone 6-9)
prefers full shade, but tolerates some sun, better than Vinca minor
needs moist, well-drained soil and prefers high organic matter levels for best growth
fast rate of growth
trim back in winter; faster growing than Vinca minor