periwinkle vinca major

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Periwinkle vinca major is a robust, evergreen groundcover valued for its vibrant blue flowers and glossy, dark green leaves. A versatile and hardy addition to New Zealand gardens, this plant is perfect for those looking to create lush, low-maintenance landscapes. Whether you’re aiming to suppress weeds, cover bare ground, or add year-round colour to shady spots, periwinkle vinca major is one of the top choices for Kiwi gardeners.

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

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Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is adorned with masses of small, pink flowers in summer as it grows to 4 m tall and 2.5 m wide. Dodonaea purpurea is commonly trimmed into a hedge, grown as an informal hedge, included in mixed or native plantings, used for riparian planting, grown as a screen, or planted as a backdrop for smaller plants. The versatility and excellent aesthetics of this plant make it very popular with landscape designers and gardeners alike.

Buy Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

From $22.88

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Shade, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian

Vinca Elizabeth Cran

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Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that creep along the ground. Semi-double, purple flowers adorn the plant in spring as it grows to about 10 cm tall and 1 m wide. Vinca Elizabeth Cran is commonly included in cottage gardens and used where a hardy groundcover is required. It is also often grown in a container or hanging basket and allowed to cascade over the edges.

Buy Vinca Elizabeth Cran

From $19.58

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 10 cm

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aristea, Dodonaea Lavender and Vinca, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants Perennials and Evergreen Shrubs.

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What is Periwinkle Vinca Major?

Periwinkle vinca major, also known as Greater Periwinkle, is a vigorous groundcover plant native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. In New Zealand conditions, it quickly establishes dense mats of evergreen foliage and produces attractive, star-shaped violet-blue flowers from early spring through to late autumn. Its trailing stems root easily wherever they touch soil, making it extremely effective for stabilising slopes, embankments, and banks.

Uses and Advantages of Periwinkle Vinca Major

One of the greatest strengths of periwinkle vinca major is its adaptability. It handles sun to partial shade, tolerates a range of soil types, and copes well with dry periods once established. Its rapid growth and thick coverage help to naturally suppress weeds, making it an excellent choice for low-care gardens, underplanting in shrub borders, or as a living mulch. Gardeners often use periwinkle vinca major under trees or in tricky spots where grass doesn’t grow. This resilience, combined with its ornamental appeal, makes periwinkle vinca major a standout among groundcover plants like Vinca major.

Varieties and Alternatives to Explore

For those interested in a touch of variety, consider Vinca major Variegata (Greater Periwinkle Plant), which features striking cream-edged foliage for a brighter, more decorative effect. If you prefer a more compact groundcover, the Vinca minor family offers several excellent alternatives. Vinca minor Illumination boasts golden-centred leaves with blue blooms, Vinca minor Atropurpurea displays deep purple flowers, and Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll provides classic white flowers for a fresh, clean accent in shaded gardens.

Growing and Caring for Periwinkle Vinca Major

Plant periwinkle vinca major in well-drained soil and water regularly over the first season to help it establish. Once mature, it becomes fairly drought-tolerant, requiring little intervention apart from occasional trimming to keep growth in check. Prune back wandering stems or runners if you wish to maintain neat borders or keep the plant contained. Mulching around new plants can help to suppress weeds and conserve moisture while they settle in.

Transform Your Garden with Periwinkle Vinca Major

Whether you want to fill a difficult slope, brighten up a shady spot, or create a seamless, weed-resistant carpet of foliage, periwinkle vinca major delivers on beauty and practicality. Browse our nursery’s full range of groundcover plant options, including Vinca major and related varieties, to find the perfect match for your garden vision. With the right choice, you’ll enjoy year-round interest, easy maintenance, and a garden that looks after itself.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.