The short answer

Quick Answer

Periwinkle thrives in partial shade or full shade on chalky, clay soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches vinca minor 10 to 15cm tall. vinca major 30 to 45cm tall. plant 40cm apart. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: After flowering in June. Trim back hard in early spring to refresh

How: Shear over the whole patch to remove dead flowers and long runners. Cut back any shoots that stray

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Europe including the UK, North Africa and western Asia

Native or exotic: Vinca minor is native to southern Britain. Vinca major is exotic

History: Periwinkle has been grown in British gardens since Roman times and was a favourite medieval monastery plant

Folklore: In medieval folklore, periwinkle was called 'joy of the ground' and was believed to ward off evil spirits. It was woven into crowns for the dead

Fun fact: The name periwinkle comes from the Latin 'pervinca' meaning to wind or bind, as the long stems were used to make garlands. The blue flowers gave their name to the colour periwinkle

Historical medicinal uses: Vinca alkaloids extracted from periwinkle are used in modern chemotherapy drugs. The plant itself is toxic if eaten

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees visit the flowers, especially in spring. The flowers produce nectar [3][4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Provides evergreen shelter, but dense mats exclude other plants[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 9 out of 10 Flowers April to September, with a main flush in spring. Evergreen leaves year round[4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Plant with ajuga, ferns and hellebores under trees

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Vinca dieback, leaf spot, rust. See RHS vinca dieback advice

Invasive note: Vinca major can be vigorous and even invasive in the right spot, smothering smaller plants. Vinca minor is better behaved. Both should be edged with a spade annually to stop them spreading

CGM care note

We use Vinca minor rather than the bigger Vinca major in most gardens because it is better behaved. We plant at 40cm apart in autumn or spring, and shear the whole patch over hard in March before the new growth starts. Even V. minor can be vigorous in a damp spot, so we edge the clumps with a spade every spring to keep them in bounds.

CGM guides mentioning Periwinkle

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Periwinkle and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Periwinkle

How Periwinkle fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Bugle, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Aquilegia (Columbine), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Astilbe, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bay, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Beech, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bergenia (Elephant Ears), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Periwinkle.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Periwinkle are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Periwinkle (Vinca major and Vinca minor). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Periwinkle. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Vinca major and Vinca minor. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Apocynaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Endress ME, Bruyns PV (2000). A revised classification of the Apocynaceae. Botanical Review, 66(1), 1-56.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Apocynaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, pollinators, pest_control.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Periwinkle. The pollinator description above ("Bees visit the flowers, especially in spring. The flowers produce nectar") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Provides evergreen shelter, but dense mats exclude other plants") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Flowers April to September, with a main flush in spring. Evergreen leaves year round".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees visit the flowers, especially in spring. The flowers produce nectar"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Periwinkle's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Provides evergreen shelter, but dense mats exclude other plants") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Periwinkle. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Periwinkle's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Apocynaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Periwinkle. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Periwinkle. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Periwinkle. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Periwinkle. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Periwinkle. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Periwinkle. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Periwinkle. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Periwinkle performs well locally

Towns where Periwinkle is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

View all areas we cover