Periwinkle flowers planting and care in the open field

A magical plant, a flower of love or a violet of a witch is all periwinkle. Planting and care in open ground, periwinkle - cultivation and reproduction, features of varieties, varieties, combination and use in landscape design - described in the article. Beautiful photos will convey the beauty and appeal of the periwinkle.

Periwinkle: varieties and varieties

Periwinkle is an evergreen perennial that covers flower beds, ridges, slopes with a bright carpet. Unpretentious to maintain, this flower is equally loved by experienced landscape designers and novice gardeners. The leaves of the plant are as if covered with a waxy coating, dense and shiny. The inflorescence of pale purple, pale blue shades consists of five petals.

Even periwinkle foliage is a wonderful flower bed decoration.

By planting a periwinkle in a flower garden, you can forever get rid of the need to fight weeds: growing rapidly, the flower completely covers the ground, rooting with shoots and does not give the weeds even the slightest opportunity for growth.

In the wild, there are only a few varieties of periwinkle (small, large, herbaceous, pubescent), but breeders have bred many of its varieties with flowers of various shades.

1. Periwinkle large (or Vinca major) has larger leaves and flowers than periwinkle small, under favorable conditions it can bloom twice a year (in May and September), reaches up to 25 cm in height. The Reticulata and Variegata varieties, which are distinguished by the presence of yellow-white streaks on the leaves, are especially popular with designers.

   Periwinkle large

2. Herbaceous periwinkle (or Vinca herbacea) has low frost resistance, it can disappear in the winter. It differs in the shape of the leaves - they are ovoid, small, leathery, of a rich green hue.

   Herbaceous periwinkle

3. Pubescent periwinkle (Vinca pubescens) also sheds its leaves for the winter, but in general it is frost-resistant, only in extreme cold it needs additional care - shelter. Flowers are small, rising on shoots.

   Pubescent periwinkle

4. Periwinkle (or Vinca minor) is a perennial with leathery elliptical leaves. Frost-resistant to temperatures down to -10 degrees, it can only be damaged in severe frosts. It has creeping stems reaching a length of 100 centimeters or more. Rooting of the plant occurs mainly at the end of summer. Inflorescences are small, blue.

   Periwinkle

The following varieties of the lesser periwinkle have been bred:

• Alboplena - periwinkle with double white flowers;
• Argenteo-variegata - leaves are large, bright green with whitish-cream blotches, inflorescences of a pale blue hue;
• Atropurpurea - has a bright purple hue;

Atropurpurea cultivar

• Emily - just like Alboplena, it has white flowers;
• Bowles' Variety - blooms for a long period, flowers are deep blue.

Planting a plant

Periwinkle takes root on any soil, it can be planted on the slopes of the site. The perennial will grow rapidly and cover the unsightly terrain with a bright green carpet with blue blotches of flowers. The shrub will grow well in the shade of fruit trees and in the bright sun.

Periwinkle planted in the garden in the shade of trees will look very good

You should adhere to this planting scheme for periwinkle: given that it is a perennial, besides actively growing, it is recommended to plant plants at a distance of at least 30-35 cm from each other.

Caring for periwinkle

Caring for periwinkle in the open field is extremely simple - it can be planted on any soil, both in shaded and sunny places. It is necessary to ensure watering only in the early stages of plant growth; in the future, it perfectly manages the moisture contained in the soil, it is drought-resistant. Even in the hottest summer, it is recommended to water the periwinkle no more than once every 7-10 days.

Periwinkle needs almost no care

Despite the fact that this perennial is quite frost-resistant, landscape design experts recommend covering young shoots with foliage for the winter.

Fertilization and feeding

Periwinkle in the open field does not particularly need feeding and fertilization, but at the same time it responds well to the introduction of urea into the soil (about 30-40 g per sq. M), humus and peat compost (twice per flowering season - in spring and in end of September). In addition, gradually dying off, the leaves and shoots of periwinkle serve as organic fertilizer for young growth.

Reproduction of periwinkle

Periwinkle, like other perennials, can be propagated in several ways:

• seeds;
• dividing the bush;
• cuttings;
• taps.

The most simple planting is considered to be a periwinkle using dividing the bush... The separated piece of plant quickly takes root in a new place and grows. Experts recommend planting periwinkle in spring or early autumn. It is possible in the summer, but in this case it is necessary to moisten the soil under the plant and at the new planting site.

Pattern: periwinkle bush

Periwinkle reproduces well and cuttings... It is necessary to cut the young shoots and bury them using the seating scheme as with propagation by bushes, leaving only a couple of leaves on the surface. In the future, the culture will grow and cover the entire area allotted to it with a green carpet.

To receive diversion you should dig in the shoot of the plant, and after rooting, separate it from the mother bush and transplant it to a permanent place of growth.

Seeds perennials are sown in the spring in boxes to a depth of no more than 2 cm. They are covered for a week with a dense cloth or a dark film that does not allow light to pass through. Seedlings should be grown from seeds indoors or in heated greenhouses, since the comfortable temperature for germination is above +23 degrees. After the emergence of seedlings, boxes with seedlings are exposed to light, while the temperature can be below +20 degrees. Seedlings dive after the appearance of the first 4 true leaves at a plant height of about 9 cm.

Periwinkle seeds

Experienced gardeners recommend breeding periwinkle in spring, then before winter the plant has more chances to take root, get stronger and survive the winter safely.

Diseases and pests

Periwinkle is a perennial resistant to many diseases. However, it can be affected by aphids, scabbard, fungal diseases (for example, powdery mildew). To destroy aphids and scale insects, it is recommended to irrigate the plants with soapy water. For the prevention of powdery mildew, proper watering of the shrub should be ensured - it does not tolerate waterlogging, does not grow on swampy soils.

A periwinkle bush affected by a fungal disease

Periwinkle in combination with other plants

Growing up, the periwinkle completely covers the territory allotted to it with a green carpet. This perennial is ideal in garden landscaping, it grows well between trees and shrubs. Grows well in combination with:

• lungwort;
• spills;
• primrose;
• hyacinths, other bulbous plants;
• forget-me-nots.

Periwinkle combined with cloves

The decoration of the site will be the planting of a variety of ferns on a periwinkle pillow.

Tip: control the growth of periwinkle, otherwise it can turn into a weed and drown out crops.

Periwinkle in landscape design

Periwinkle is often used in open field design to decorate wide borders, bordering ridges, this plant looks great in mixborders. In any photo, periwinkle sets off and emphasizes the beauty of the cultures that grow with it.

Periwinkle in landscape design

Plant a periwinkle on the site and get an excellent opportunity to enjoy the view of a living green carpet all year round.

Planting periwinkle: video

Periwinkle: photo

The periwinkle, which covers whole glades with a dark green carpet, is amazing and attractive with its unpretentious decoration. Another name for the flower is catharanthus. Delicate blue flowers fell in love with many. Herbaceous or shrubby evergreens have attracted people's attention for their love of life for a long time. It spreads with its elastic branches to all directions of the world.

They have glossy leaves, graceful decorative flowers lilac-blue, white, with various transitions of pink, sometimes with a crimson throat spot. Its leaves are distinguished by their strength and vitality, retaining a fresh look even under a snow cover. In early spring, they look out from under the snowdrifts with their emerald greenery.

The Latin name Vinca means to wrap around. It can rise high on the supporting walls, firmly clinging to the roots of the smallest protrusions.

Description of the periwinkle plant

Flowers periwinkle planting and care photo flower beds

Plant from the Kutrovy family. Creeping dwarf shrub or perennial herb with ground cover flowering shoots. Leaves are opposite, dark green sometimes with golden cream spots, leathery, glossy. Large blue, white or pink flowers that bloom in spring, sit singly in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is two cylindrical leaflets with seeds. Flowers c attract bees and are considered a good honey plant.

Growing a catharanthus or periwinkle is an activity for the lazy!

The flower is undemanding, grows and develops magnificently, forming lush cushions of emerald, shiny leaves with delicate cornflower-blue flowers under the shady crowns of trees. Beautifully, blooms profusely in oily, moist soil. It looks unusually in the near-trunk circles of garden trees, on rocky hills, as a ground cover in a semi-shady place, as ampelous in hanging baskets. Variegated varieties are best kept in sunny places - in the shade, their leaves are less expressive.

Caring for periwinkle

Periwinkle planting and care photos in the garden

• To improve decorativeness, create a lush flowering carpet, it is supposed to fertilize with organic and mineral fertilizers several times per season.
• Overripe organic matter is mulched before the onset of winter and early spring before the growth of new shoots and leaves.
• Mineral fertilizer can be sprinkled in small amounts before or during rain or watering.
• Cut off damaged, wilted branches, maintaining decorativeness, stimulating the formation of additional roots.
• Water the periwinkle more often, and it will respond to you with abundant flowering and a riot of emerald green foliage.
• You cannot call it aggressive, but sometimes it requires restriction of growth, because growing, it can suppress other plants.

Reproduction of periwinkle

Periwinkle propagation by cuttings photo

Cuttings usually breeding indoor species or those that hibernate in cool rooms.

• Cuttings are cut from young, apical shoots in March.
• Each must have at least two internodes.
• At the bottom, the leaves are cut off, the node is treated with growth stimulants (root, aloe leaf juice).
• Then they are planted in the ground, made up of 2 parts of fertilized soil, 1 part of coarse sand, deepening the lower internode into the ground, squeezing it tightly with your fingers.
• The soil with cuttings is kept moist at a temperature of 24 degrees, providing shelter from bright sunlight.
• When the plants are strong enough, transplant one at a time and cut off the vegetative tops for better rooting.
• After 2 months, they are planted on the site.

More information about the reproduction of a catharanthus or periwinkle by cuttings in the video:

Reproduction by seeds. Sow periwinkle on a seedling bed located in partial shade

• Seeds germinate well in moist, nutritious soil.
• Sowing is carried out in spring and autumn in open ground in rows with a distance of 10 cm between rows, and is sealed to a depth of 2-3 cm.
• You can plant seeds in peat cups or containers, growing seedlings on a windowsill

Periwinkle from seeds at home photo

• They look after ordinary seedlings - watered and weeded.
• In the fall of next year, the plants will be ready for planting in the flower garden.
• Seeds of pink periwinkle are laid out in 5-8 pieces. in pots in February.
• The soil can be taken universal for indoor plants or ordinary turf soil.
• Sowing is carried out shallowly, up to 1 cm.

Periwinkle ampelous cultivation from seeds photo

• Watered, covered with a jar or film, preventing moisture evaporation, creating a microclimate.
• After germination, they begin to air a little.
• If there are enough seedlings, they can be thinned out by removing the smallest ones.
• If you intend to grow a plant in the house, you can put a support.

The video will tell you about growing periwinkle seedlings from seeds:

This task is feasible even for beginners, it is not at all difficult to get healthy bushes of seedlings!

How to plant ready-made periwinkle seedlings in open ground, we look at the video:

The plant quickly masters the space allotted to it and begins to grow, covering the area allotted to it with a thick carpet. Glossy leaves are very decorative even after the end of the flowering season, which makes periwinkle an excellent ground cover.

Reproduction by layering. They are taken from adult, well-grown plants.

Reproduction of periwinkle by layering photo

The creeping branches of periwinkle take root on their own, taking root upon contact with the ground. Cutting off a branch with a pruner, digging up the cut part along with the roots, it is transferred to a previously prepared area. The ground must be constantly moist for better rooting. If the roots on the seedling are small, you can cover the plant with a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off - this way it will take root more quickly. Noticing new shoots under the shelter - it is removed.

Reproduction of periwinkles will not cause many problems even for novice growers. They take root well and take root at any time. One has only to keep the planting site wet, and you are guaranteed success.

Periwinkle species

Lesser periwinkle Vinca minor, brilliant green, hornbeam grass, burial ground

Flower periwinkle cultivar Vinca minor atropurpurea Vinca minor Atropurpurea photo

Evergreen dwarf shrub up to 35 cm high with vertical generative stems. Grows in the European part of Russia, the Baltic States, Crimea, Belarus, Ukraine and the Caucasus at the edges of forests, on the steppe slopes. It has upright fruiting and sterile stems. It blooms in May-August with single dark blue flowers located in the leaf axils. The fruit is very rare.

White periwinkle vinca minor small photo cultivar Vinca minor Alba

Reproduces well vegetatively and by seeds. In the spring, he needs significant pruning up to 7 cm from the root and feeding with humus or mulching with compost. It grows very quickly and takes up the space allotted to it. Successfully replaces the lawn. It can be grown on vertical walls as an ampelous plant. Often found in garden plots.

Varieties of vinca minor:

• Alboplena - white double flowers,
• Argenteo - large leaves, green with whitish-cream specks, azure-cornflower-blue inflorescences,
• Atropurpurea - bright purple flowers,
• Emili - simple white flowers.

Great periwinkle Vinca major

Large periwinkle Vinca major herbaceous plants for open ground photo

Its leaves are larger and larger than that of the first, larger and five-petal azure-lilac flowers. It also creeps along the ground, rooting in knots, but not as fast as its brother. It blooms twice a season under favorable conditions.

Flowers of periwinkle large variegata Vinca major Variegata cultivation and care photo

Reaches 25 cm in height. Its leaves are not glossy, but matte. Less common than lesser periwinkle in garden plots. A well-known variety Variegata, with elliptical rigid leaves with a white border around the edge of the leaf. Sometimes there are specimens with pure white foliage. Prefers places open to the sun.

Herb periwinkle Vinca herbacea

Periwinkle herb Vinca herbacea photo

It has low frost resistance - it can disappear in winter, and grow again in spring. It differs in smaller elliptical leaves of a rich green hue, falling for the winter, rough. Creeping stems do not take root in internodes. Only the top takes root. The flowers are purple, blue or blue-violet, solitary, axillary.

Seeds are oblong, dark brown with tubercles without tubercles. Distributed on the coast of Crimea. Localized in glades, slopes, among bushes. Our ancestors put a woven wreath of herbaceous periwinkle on the site of a newly built house to protect the family from evil and prosperity.

Pubescent periwinkle Vinca pubescens

Grows under trees in the forests of the Western Caucasus. It also loses leaves for the winter, but it is more frost-resistant than herbaceous and requires a little shelter. The shoots that grow and weave along the ground take root at the points of contact with the ground. The flowers are small blue, rising on twigs above the ground, creating the effect of a loose carpet.

Pink periwinkle Vinca rosea, catharanthus, pink lochnera, pervinkle

Pink periwinkle Vinca rosea catharanthus photo

Delicate view, native to Madagascar, with pink buds, with a pink-purple spot in the center. The stem is glabrous, cylindrical. Cultivated on the slopes of Adjara. The flower's raspberry throat attracts pollinating insects with a long proboscis. Excellent honey plant.

In our latitudes, it is bred exclusively on windowsills. Or used as an annual crop. The most suitable time for annual transplanting is January-March, large containers are used (maximum diameter 15 cm).

In the spring and summer, place the pots in a very sunny place, add liquid fertilizer when watering every 2 weeks. To prolong flowering in autumn and winter, keep the plant as long as possible in a bright place or light it up a little. At this time, the temperature is kept moderate, and watering is necessary only in order not to overdry the soil.

There are two varieties: 'Small shiny eye' with white flowers and a dark pink spot in the center, and 'Small pinkish' - with pink petals 25 cm high.These plants can be taken out to the garden plot, and when cold weather comes, they can be removed to the veranda or loggia ...It attracts attention with an abundance of flowers resembling phlox, against the background of shiny evergreen foliage. Having created suitable conditions for him, you can admire the continuous flowering for several years in a row.

Pests and diseases

Periwinkles are slightly affected by pests. Hard leaves, bitter taste repel many insects. In the event of a red tick or worm, special insecticides are used. Sometimes aphids are affected. To destroy it, use a solution of tar soap.

When kept indoors, the tips of the leaves sometimes dry out. This comes from too dry air. Spray your pet frequently, or place the pot on a large pallet or planter filled with damp moss or expanded clay. In the summer, you can put it on the balcony, avoiding places with the scorching sun.

Plant features

What does a periwinkle flower look like?

Various types of periwinkle tolerate severe winters well. The flower has an amazing zest for life - when cut, it will stand in water to the last drop, and if you then stick this shoot into the ground, then it will definitely take root. There is a legend in which he complained about the fate of the goddess Flora, and she gave him large blue-purple flowers and gave him an extraordinary name - ‘Pervinka’.

Periwinkle in the garden photo composition

This plant is several thousand years old. Naturally, people have used it as a medicinal plant since ancient times. It is recognized by official medicine. The drugs are actively used in the treatment of many diseases. The most valuable is the lesser periwinkle. Preparations based on it have an astringent, antimicrobial, hemostatic, vasodilator, hypotensive, sedative effect. Traditional medicine uses it for dermatitis, tumors, eczema. Pink periwinkle also has medicinal properties. It is used in the treatment of polyps, anemia, stomach ulcers.

All types of periwinkle are poisonous. It should be used with extreme caution, after consulting a doctor, avoiding self-medication.

Periwinkle ampelous photo of flowers

Periwinkle is an excellent flowering ground cover - it will quickly disguise an unsightly place on a plot, an economic zone, or climb up and decorate the shady side of a house or a gazebo. The British decorate the stone walls of old houses with it. Looks great among ferns and large plants.

Periwinkle flower in landscape design photo

Its rapid growth and ability to actively spread, unpretentiousness and shade tolerance, malachite green glossy foliage and charming azure blue flowers explain its popularity among florists and landscape designers. It is placed in rockeries and on natural slopes and hills, which gives sophistication and uniqueness to the garden area. Its magnificent foliage all year round sets off and emphasizes the beauty of the flowers growing nearby. And if you take into account its mystical properties, then it will certainly bring happiness, tranquility, prosperity to your home and protect you from troubles.

Periwinkle in landscape design photo flower beds

Periwinkle is considered a ritual flower of folk rituals - it is woven into the bride's wedding wreath. All types of periwinkle are used by traditional medicine. In an old Carpathian legend, the five-petalled periwinkle flower symbolizes a happy life in marriage.

This is a real sacred plant - the flower of love, or the violet of the witch. Even in ancient times, it was transferred from the forest to the lawns, flower beds of palaces. Planted in cemeteries, it has become a symbol of eternal love and long memory.

Ladies of the court with gentlemen….

went specifically to the edges of the forest to admire the blue and white stars that bloom at dawn and hide at 5 pm. There was an opinion that the periwinkle is eternal, like life is eternal. And the periwinkle personifies love. It is believed that living close to home brings happiness and prosperity.

Periwinkle, laid under the pillow, once attracted grooms to girls.A twig of periwinkle placed in a baby cot protects the baby from damage and the evil eye and soothes the baby. In ancient times, it was braided into wreaths, fixed above the windows, they protected houses from lightning, penetration of witches. It is considered a magical amulet among many peoples.

Delicate, touching flowers of various colors called "Carpathian bell" refresh the landscape, bloom for a long time and do not require scrupulous care. Sounds tempting, let's get to know them better.

Botanical description

Imagine a perennial plant with many thin, graceful stems and fragrant funnel-shaped flowers, forming short (20-30 cm) bushes. At the roots, leaves are rounded, collected by a rosette; ovoid on stems. The flowers are single, up to 5 cm in diameter, the calyx is open and directed upward, resembling a bell in shape. Botanists did not come up with a complex Latin name for this plant, they left the "bell" given by the people.

The name of the herbaceous plant "Carpathian bell" is due to its wide distribution in the mountains of Eastern and Central Europe, primarily the Carpathians. Treeless areas of Transcarpathia (the so-called meadows), densely covered with bells - an incomparable picture.

The plant was first described by the Austrian botanist Nikolaus Jacquin. By 1774, it was introduced to the Royal Botanic Gardens, London's world botanical research center that still exists today.

Today, royal luxury is available to every gardener. The plant is unpretentious, it is enough to take into account only some of the nuances.

Varieties and types of plants

Scientists have counted one and a half hundred types of bells.

As for the Carpathian, we present the most common varieties that are easy to find:

• Carpathian bell with white flowers: "Dwarf", "Pearl White", "Belogorie", "White Star", "Alba";
• blue bell: "Elf", "Bells", "Samantha" (with a white center), "Isabelle", "Spechmaise", "Celestina";
• with blue flowers: "Pearl Blue", "Blue Clips" (they are "Clips"), "Blaumize", "Riversley", "Karl Forster";
• with purple flowers: "Carpatenkrone".

Planting and leaving from variety to variety is practically the same. Follow the guidelines below and remember to read the instructions on the seed packs if you are lucky enough to get your hands on a rare variety.

How and when to sow Carpathian bell for seedlings

Growing seedlings should start in March. Sowing seeds is superficial, under a transparent cover or glass.

Pay attention to the requirements for the location, it must be:

• light, warm, no drafts;
• with additional light, energy-saving or special phytolamps;
• with a constant temperature not lower than 20 ℃.

Watering is carried out every 10 days when the soil is dry. Seedlings appear in two to three weeks. After another week, the seedlings begin to gradually harden: first remove the lid for 10-15 minutes, gradually increasing the time and bringing it to 2 hours, and then leave it open overnight.

After the appearance of the third leaf, the seedlings are transplanted so that the distance between them is at least 30 cm. Plan the planting of seedlings on the site at the end of May.

Advice. The plant has long roots, so it is best to grow seedlings in tall pots.

Planting a herb in open ground

When to plant a bell in soil:

1. Seeds are planted by direct sowing in mid-May in open ground.
2. At the end of April, the plant is planted in a greenhouse.

As for the soil, some nuances should be taken into account:

• choose sunny dry areas or at least partial shade;
• the soil must be fertilized, free of weeds;
• the best growth will be provided by loamy alkaline soil;
• the structure of the soil is preferable, light, loose, breathable, well-drained.

Seeds are scattered into grooves 1 cm deep, they are not covered with earth from above.It is necessary to provide daily watering, not leading to waterlogging. Expect the first shoots in two to three weeks, and sometimes all four.

Agrotechnics of cultivation and care

You will be glad to know how unpretentious the bell is. Watering is required only during extreme heat, excess moisture can harm. Drought will shorten the flowering time.

During the budding period, it is good to introduce top dressing.

Suitable for these purposes:

• purchased mineral fertilizers: solutions, granules. When adding liquid fertilizer, it is important not to get on the leaves;
• herbal compost - you can prepare it yourself.

Adult specimens are resistant to adverse conditions, do not require special signs of attention, freeing up a lot of time to care for more sensitive representatives of the country flora.

On a note. Prune old-flowered shoots to prolong flowering time.

Reproduction methods

The following breeding methods of the Carpathian bell are possible:

• seeds (purchased or harvested yourself);
• cuttings (before flowering);
• dividing the rhizome (only for mature adult plants over three years old).

The seeds ripen in a capsule after flowering, that is, in August. The inflorescences are cut off when the bolls are brown.

For propagation by cuttings, the stems should be cut so that each has three attachment points for the leaves. Plant the resulting cuttings in a pot and take care of them like seedlings. At the end of August, move to a flower bed.

To propagate the bell by dividing the rhizome, dig it up and cut it into pieces with a knife: one part - one rosette. Then you can immediately plant the plant in the garden.

Carpathian bell in landscape design

You can use the plant in the landscape design of the garden in the following ways:

• as a decoration for a rocky exposition;
• as a flower border;
• in a group with other plants;
• plant in flowerpots.

Given the fact that the plant comes from a mountainous area, against the background of a small hill, it will look the most harmonious. The simplest rock garden can be made by planting a bell among the stones. Try to dilute the composition with other dwarf ornamental plants, mountain ones will look especially good.

A dense row of bells can be used to mark the borders of the flower bed. It is good to plant such flowers along paths and low garden fences.

In prefabricated flower beds, successful partners are Dalmatian geraniums, heliantemum (hybrid sunflower), saxifrage, rejuvenated, daisies, lobelia, obrieta, lobelia, alissum. It is good to combine different varieties of bells side by side, for example, white and blue. Or take an example from the wild: in the meadows of the Carpathians, white and blue beauties coexist with arnica, daffodils and gentian. The Carpathian bell can be combined with tall plants, planting it along the edges in the first row.

Periwinkle was considered a magical plant, it was called the witch's violet and the flower of love.

Today this beautiful and rather unpretentious plant is very popular among gardeners.

For those wishing to grow periwinkle, planting and care in the open field are extremely important issues, and they need to be approached responsibly.

Description of the plant

Periwinkle is a perennial evergreen plant. During the course, it is unpretentious, therefore it is an excellent option for both novice gardeners and those who are experienced landscape designers.

Periwinkle has dense leaves, gleaming like a coating of wax. The flowers are composed of five petals of white, light lilac or purple.

Periwinkle will help you forget about weeds and weeding - it actively grows and completely covers the garden bed, preventing weeds from germinating, which can spoil the appearance of the flower bed.

Varieties and varieties

Pubescent periwinkle

Under natural conditions, there are only four varieties of periwinkle, but gardeners can choose from a variety of varieties eaten by breeders:

• Periwinkle large - reaches a quarter of a meter in height, leaves and inflorescences are large. Color once or twice a year. The most commonly used varieties are Variegata and Reticulata, which are distinguished by beautiful yellow veins on the leaves.
• Herbaceous periwinkle... This variety is not resistant to frost, therefore it is most often grown as an annual. A distinctive feature of this variety is the small, bright green ovoid leaves.
• Pubescent periwinkle... For the winter, this variety sheds its leaves, but it is quite resistant to low temperatures. Small flowers are evenly distributed on the shoots.
• Lesser periwinkle... It tolerates temperatures up to minus 10 degrees, its stems are creeping, their length can exceed one meter. It has small flowers, usually blue.
• Alboplena - Lesser periwinkle with white small flowers and double leaves.

note: different varieties have different cold resistance, so you should also choose based on your climate.

• Argento variegata - has flowers of a delicate blue hue and large leaves with light blotches.
• Atropurpurea - differs from other varieties of lesser periwinkle in rich purple inflorescences.
• Bowles Variety - differs in a long flowering period and rich shades of inflorescences.

Landing rules

You can plant periwinkle on any soil, it takes root well and does not require special conditions. It grows quickly and can cover an entire clearing with its shoots.

It grows well both in the shade and in sunny places, so you don't have to worry too much about the location of this flower.

The main rule when planting is to leave at least 30 centimeters between the plants so that the flower shoots have a place to spread out.

It should be borne in mind that this is a perennial plant, therefore, a place for it is chosen for a long time, unless the periwinkle dies from severe frosts.

How to care

Caring for periwinkle does not cause any difficulties, which is why many gardeners appreciate it. The main thing is to provide quality watering, especially in the early stages.

An adult plant can get by with the moisture it receives from the soil, unless a severe drought occurs. In the hottest season, it is recommended to water the flower three to four times a month.

For the winter, periwinkle shoots must be covered to protect them from frost.

Reproduction

Like all perennials, periwinkle reproduces in several ways:

• Seeds - I plant them in the spring as seedlings, and they are transplanted to open ground in early summer, when the temperature is from 24 degrees Celsius.
• Elbows - in this case, the periwinkle shoot is slightly immersed in the soil, and after the roots appear, they are separated and transplanted.
• Cuttings - shoots are planted in the soil, leaving a couple of leaves above the ground.
• Splitting a bush is the easiest way to get a piece of bush rooted and grow in a new flower bed.

Any of the breeding methods are best used in the spring.

Diseases and pests

Among the problems that most often have to be faced when growing this perennial, one can single out:

• Scabbard - This insect usually causes the plants to dry out. To protect against it, it is necessary to treat the garden with special means.
• Lack of flowering - may be caused by a lack of light. Periwinkle grows in the shade, but it blooms best in the sun.
• Aphids - to protect against this pest, it is enough to treat the plant with soapy water.
• Powdery mildew - This fungal disease can occur due to excessive moisture.

Use in landscape design

Periwinkle grows very strongly, covering the soil with a green carpet, which is why it is often used in landscaping.

It goes well with hyacinths, lungwort, forget-me-nots, primrose and other flowers. It is widely used for the decoration of borders, ridges, etc. Looks good in mixed beds.

Periwinkle is not only a very beautiful flower, but also very persistent. You just need to properly care for it so that it covers your lawns with a solid green carpet and pleases with bright and beautiful flowers.

For the rules of growing a periwinkle flower, see the following video: