topic Periwinkle in Garden

Periwinkle

Lilysmom — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 18:29:26 GMT

Someone gave me one. I planted it before I knew what it was. Is it really invasive? I have a new garden area where I placed it. Should I pull it? TIA. LM

Re: Periwinkle

lulu2 — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 18:55:46 GMT

At our previous home, our front banks was covered in periwinkle/myrtle. We had no problem keeping in confined. (there were also tons of daffodils that poked up among it) It was at least 75 years old. We were frequently asked if we would allow others to dig some out as people seemed to have little luck with the newer varieties.

Re: Periwinkle

Lilysmom — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 20:49:39 GMT

Hi lulu2. Thanks for your reply.

The periwinkle is in a garden next to gravel on one side and woodland on the other. There is no grass. Only trees, brush and large granite stone. I am hoping it is not too bad. I can keep an eye on it.

I had some creeping Jenny in my rock wall and had to remove it after hearing some horror stories. People trying for years to get it out of their grass.

Your bank would be pretty with the periwinkle and daffodils! LM

Re: Periwinkle

JustJazzmom — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:15:04 GMT

There are two kinds of periwinkle-- Vinca major and Vinca minor. The only real difference is leaf size between the 2 and both have periwinkle blue 5 petaled flowers in the springtime.

Depending on weather conditions, both can overwinter and survive. Some areas use Vinca minor as filler for container plants and some use it as a groundcover. Both Vincas have their uses in planting.

Vinca major with variegated leaves

Vinca minor

Re: Periwinkle

Lilysmom — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:20:00 GMT

Jazz, thanks for the info. I have Vinca minor. Do you think it's ok to leave it? I like it but if it's really bad news, I'll safely dispose of it. LM

Re: Periwinkle

JustJazzmom — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:32:52 GMT

On 9/3/2014 Lilysmom said:
Jazz, thanks for the info. I have Vinca minor. Do you think it's ok to leave it? I like it but if it's really bad news, I'll safely dispose of it. LM

All I can say is every property is different so see how it works by you. Your area is a lot colder than I have here and it might die over the winter. It may also survive and spread. See if it does (a few years will give you an idea) before you decide to keep it or rip it out. The neighbor who gave it to you, does it spread by your neighbor's? This might give you a better idea of how it grows by you.

Re: Periwinkle

Lilysmom — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 10:40:46 GMT

Good advice. It doesn't spread too much at my neighbor's but I will keep an eye on it. Thanks for the feedback. LM

Re: Periwinkle

151949 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 05:32:14 GMT

On 9/3/2014 Lilysmom said:
Jazz, thanks for the info. I have Vinca minor. Do you think it's ok to leave it? I like it but if it's really bad news, I'll safely dispose of it. LM

I live in a duplex - one winter we had vincas growing in a large pot between our garage door and the lady next door garage door. We came north for the summer and when we went back home in the fall we had vinca growing all over the yard ! Pretty little white flowers everywhere. The HOA told us we were not allowed to have them all over like that and we nicely explained that we did not put them there - God did, and if God wanted them there I was not messing with his decision. When we left Florida this spring they were still growing there. Never know what we will find when we get back this fall.

OP - many years ago I lived in an apartment and across the street there was a hillside that was totally covered with periwinkles. They were so pretty and cheerful !

Re: Periwinkle

AuntG — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 11:59:46 GMT

Happy Housewife, how do you put up with that homeowner's association? If I recall correctly, they even counted the number of Halloween decorations that you put out. I certainly can respect that they might need to limit the number of cars in the driveway or the length of the grass before it must be mowed, but your group seems obnoxious.

Re: Periwinkle

Lilysmom — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 21:59:12 GMT

Thanks for the feedback happy housewife. I am going to keep an eye on it!

Re: Periwinkle

Miss Brenda Starr — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 17:49:47 GMT

I have periwinkle and it can be contained but in my experience, there's almost no way (that I know of) to eradicate it permanently without applying some kind of nasty poison. I don't want to do that so I just keep pulling out whatever shows above ground, a few times a year.

I live in a fairly mild climate and the winters aren't harsh enough to kill them.

Re: Periwinkle

Sweetbay magnolia — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:07:57 GMT

In my area, vinca minor/major is considered an invasive alien. It's pretty, and there are a few cultivars that I would plant ("Illumination" is one), anyway, because of their usefulness. It can rob native species of their habitat, but if there are no natives . . . it's a chicken/egg debate. If the property were ever to be abandoned, the vinca would probably win.

Re: Periwinkle

Lilysmom — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 21:26:24 GMT

You know, I think I'm going to pull it. I try to stay away from invasive plants and I really get mad when people give plants without telling me that they spread, some of them uncontrollably.

I was once given a small white violet type flower. It was and is the most annoying plant in my garden. It hides out near the roots of other plants, under leaves and bushes. I am still trying to get rid of it five years later. Hate that thing!

I work hard at keeping a clean garden so I think it's time to put this in the garbage. Thanks for the feedback. LM

Re: Periwinkle

Sweetbay magnolia — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 02:45:41 GMT

Probably a good choice. Vinca is useful and at times, very pretty, so it's popular, but it is considered a pest by many. I'm letting Virginia creeper swamp it in my woodland garden - may the best plant win.

Re: Periwinkle

151949 — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 05:01:34 GMT

On 9/7/2014 AuntG said:
Happy Housewife, how do you put up with that homeowner's association? If I recall correctly, they even counted the number of Halloween decorations that you put out. I certainly can respect that they might need to limit the number of cars in the driveway or the length of the grass before it must be mowed, but your group seems obnoxious.

Oh my HOA is horrible. But , as my next door neighbor said , just ignore them and do what you want inside the house where they can't bother you.The president of our HOA actually patrols the streets all evening , every evening on his bike looking for something to write someone a letter about.One of our neighbors across the street had to move back up north permanently because of health issues. She decided to have a big block party to say goodbye.They had lobster and clams - a real New England bash in the garage and spilling out onto the yard. She even had a musical group playing oldies. It was great ! anyway, she invited everyone in the immediate area and anyone else she knew so almost everyone was there. The HOA president shows up with his extremely obnoxious wife and just starts making themselves plates at the buffet. I knew she had not invited them because she can't stand him! Her nephew asked him what he was doing - this is a private party for our invited guests. And he tried to say she could not have a party unless the entire development was invited.WHAT?? the nephew told him he could leave or we could call the police but he was absolutely not staying.There is one very nice guy on our HOA board but the rest of them just shout him down.

Re: Periwinkle

NanaS — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 21:46:31 GMT

We have vincas here in Texas but they are considered annuals and if you can get them through a summer without losing half of them to root rot your lucky.