Periwinkle
Vinca minor
Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–6 in tall and 18–36 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun to deep shade. Reliable shady groundcover. Periwinkle-blue blooms in spring. Aggressive, can escape into adjacent areas.
On the CSU listlow to medium water3–6 in tall and 18–36 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistantToxic to dogs
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Vinca minor
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Bowles', 'Atropurpurea'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 3–6 in tall and 18–36 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~25–36 in apart
- Growth habit
- Trailing
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun, deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring, late spring
- Pollinator value
- low
- Site uses
- Dry shade under conifers, Cool north foundations
Things to know before you plant
- Toxic to dogsConsidered toxic to dogs, so keep pets away from it and check with your vet.
- Spreads aggressivelyPeriwinkle, spreads aggressively via stolons; escaped to CO foothills shade gardens
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Periwinkle as a groundcover
Periwinkle trails and roots as it goes. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare. It tolerates the dry shade and root competition under established trees, where many groundcovers struggle.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Once established, very low water. Aggressive spread, give it room.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Periwinkle good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Periwinkle is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Periwinkle?
- The main things to know: Considered toxic to dogs, so keep pets away from it and check with your vet. Periwinkle, spreads aggressively via stolons; escaped to CO foothills shade gardens
- How big does Periwinkle get?
- It matures to about 3–6 in tall and 18–36 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Periwinkle?
- Space Periwinkle about 25 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 36 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Periwinkle hardy on the Front Range?
- Periwinkle is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Periwinkle need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Periwinkle safe for dogs?
- No. Periwinkle is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Periwinkle deer-resistant?
- Periwinkle is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Periwinkle a good firewise plant near the house?
- Periwinkle is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Periwinkle?
- Periwinkle isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Can Periwinkle replace a lawn?
- Yes, Periwinkle works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Periwinkle spread or stay put?
- Periwinkle is trailing. Periwinkle, spreads aggressively via stolons; escaped to CO foothills shade gardens Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Can you plant Periwinkle under trees?
- Yes. Periwinkle tolerates the dry shade and root competition under established trees, where many groundcovers struggle. Water it well through its first year while it establishes among the roots.
- Does Periwinkle stay green in winter?
- Periwinkle holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
- How long does Periwinkle bloom?
- Periwinkle blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
