Vinca have a bad reputation with gardeners as being very invasive. This is more true of ‘major’, the smaller ‘minor’, known as the Lesser Periwinkle is, I think, an excellent plant for dry, shady areas. It is not often considered for planters, although it can look particularly good in urns or large pots, trailing over the sides like a green waterfall.
Available in colours other than blue, it can be a garden worthy plant.
The double blue, grows in ourgarden@19 in urns either side of the banana bench.


An attractive alternative is the purple form, here in a large terracotta pot.


A white one lives happily in a small Cotswold Stone pot in the White and Green garden.


The star of our Vinca family is ‘Jenny Pym’ with its delicate pink and white colours…

…scrambling through our Spring Bed…

…does pink and yellow go together?
Beautiful pictures of unassuming and gorgeous flowers.
I have Vinca minor and have to trim it back as it is so eager. Mind you, I didn’t know
the name until now. 🙂
In nature all colours mix well.
miriam
LikeLiked by 1 person
They can be invasive, I wish I had never put it in some places where it is taking over. But I love the double one and Jenny Pym is a charmer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you can keep the Vinca minor under control as it has a pretty flower. I unfortunately, planted V.major in the garden before we came to live here permanently and I am still regretting it. I must admit I admire its ability to thrive in the shady spots but it also seeds around over here. I think the variegated form is less invasive, too. Amelia
LikeLike
Variegated forms tend to be less vigorous, it is one I don’t have. There is a white flowering one that I would like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have the purple one – it’s great ground cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have ‘Atropurpurea’ and secretly love it, but it does spread impossibly. That’s why it is planted where it can go wild!
LikeLike
It obviously likes your climate.
LikeLike
That it does!
LikeLike
My white one has got fliwers on it this this year for the first time ever! I have not come across that pink one before – very pretty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pink and yellow is one of my favourite planting combinations! I love vinca and have both a pale variegated blue flowered one and the purple one like yours. Yes, they do like to spread, but are also very easy to remove in my soil. And ground cover is always welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
Every plant has its place and Vinca minor is a very useful little plant, easy to keep under control, if needs be. I find it tends to control itself as it doesn’t smother other plants and gets stopped in its tracks if it encounters something tougher – it rambles nicely around the edges of a patch of Epimedium here. i haven’t come across ‘atropurpurea’ before but the colour tells me I need to add one or two …….
LikeLike
The purple one is a lovely colour, I have seen it in nurseries, I don’t think you would find it in garden centres ( I have some on my sale table for NGS open days)
LikeLike
You know, I actually planted Vinca major in the parkstrip (between the curb and sidewalk) in town. It was not a problem there because it had no place to escape to. It was way out in a suburban area. However, it never was much to look at, and gets mown down annually. It is an invasive exotic weed here in the Santa Cruz mountains.
LikeLike
Sounds like you found the ideal place for it TONY.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps, but I should have put something prettier out there.
LikeLike
I just have the one plant given to me by my sister – it has spread considerably , has beautiful double blue flowers but is sadly rather shy in flowering. ‘Jenny Pym’ looks most pretty and I like your white vinca in the container.
LikeLike
Thank you Anna
LikeLike
Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll is also a lovely plant with white flowers. It scrambles around in our Spring Borders quite happily without becoming a nuisance. Should have some on my sales table on NGS days, if it hasn’t all been sold on the plant stall at Malvern Country Market in the meantime.
LikeLiked by 1 person