Dear N.S.: Myrtle is a common name for Vinca minor, a hardy mostly evergreen trailing woody plant that is used as a groundcover. It is native to Europe. It has small pale violet blue flowers in the spring. Another common name, lesser periwinkle, is the source of the name of the color periwinkle blue, like the flowers.

Is creeping myrtle the same as vinca?

Creeping Myrtle, Vinca minor, goes by many names; Common Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle or even Dwarf Myrtle. It is a glossy dark green evergreen ground cover with large, showy lavender-blue flowers that bloom from May to June. Fast growing vine-like plant can be used to control erosion on slopes.

What's the difference between myrtle and periwinkle?

As nouns the difference between myrtle and periwinkle is that myrtle is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus myrtus , native to southern europe and north africa while periwinkle is any of several evergreen plants of the genus vinca with blue or white flowers or periwinkle can be a mollusk of genus (taxlink).

Is there another name for Vinca?

Vinca is a good example. Periwinkle is the common name for this pretty plant that belongs to the dogbane or Apocynaceae family.

What plant is similar to vinca?

As an alternative, Mr Smarty Plants recommends you look into planting Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) which has cordate leaves, white twin flowers, and red berries or Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower) which has wider spaced leaves and reddish stems, often white and waxy.

Is Myrtle A good ground cover?

Myrtle (Vinca spp.) is among the hardiest of evergreen ground covers, hardy to Zone 4 and growing as far north as Canada.

What is the difference between Vinca major and Vinca minor?

The main difference between Vinca major and Vinca minor is that the leaves of V. major are slightly broader, larger, ovate, or heart shaped, while those of V. minor are small, elongated, lance-shaped. This can help identify the species.

Does vinca like sun or shade?

Vinca needs little maintenance, and deadheading isn’t required. They do well in full sun to part shade, and can tolerate some drought, although they flower best with regular watering.

Is a periwinkle the same as a vinca?

Periwinkle is also called vinca or myrtle. Of the 12 species of periwinkle, two are popular groundcovers. All species have opposite leaves and single flowers. The perennial periwinkle should not be confused with the bedding plant, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).

Are vinca and periwinkle the same flower?

Annual vinca is a low maintenance, relatively trouble-free bedding plant. … Annual vinca should not be confused with perennial periwinkle (Vinca minor), which is also known as common periwinkle, myrtle, and running myrtle. This species is a viney broadleaf evergreen and is commonly used as a groundcover in partial shade.

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Is Myrtle a shade plant?

Myrtle will grow in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and if browsing animals plague your garden, you will appreciate its deer-tolerant quality.

What is the difference between periwinkle and creeping myrtle?

Periwinkle is often also called creeping vinca or creeping myrtle. Periwinkle is most often grown as a ground cover. The periwinkle plant takes its common name from the attractive blooms that dot the foliage in April to May, appearing in the color of periwinkle blue.

Is Myrtle a vine?

Creeping Myrtle Vine, Vinca Minor is an Evergreen Perennial. … The vines can grow up to 18 inches long. Plants will root where the stems touch the ground. Broad, flat leaves are dark, leathery, and shiny.

Is vinca a ground cover?

Vinca, sometimes also called periwinkle, is a tough evergreen ground cover with shiny, leathery leaves that look good all year long.

Is vinca vine a good ground cover?

Light. Periwinkle grows in partial sun, partial shade, and full shade. It tolerates deep shade conditions but may burn in direct sunlight. … Also, they are a good choice for a ground cover for an area with dry shade.

Is vinca considered invasive?

Vinca minor vines are considered somewhat invasive plants, so, if this is a concern for you, make it a point each year to keep their runners in check.

How do you keep vinca from getting leggy?

Pinching. Caring for bedding plants often includes pinching. Pinching means to remove new growth at the tips of the branches so the plant does not become leggy.

Are there different types of vinca plants?

There are two main species grown: Vinca major and V. minor. Perennial vinca varieties have pinwheel-shaped springtime flowers in shades of lavender, purple, and white.

How do you dig up myrtles?

1. Root prune the myrtle in mid-winter. …
2. Remove weeds and vegetation from a sunny planting location in early spring. …
3. Dig the planting hole on top of the worked soil. …
4. Return to the myrtle. …
5. Carry or drag the myrtle to the new planting site. …
6. Place your garden hose on the ground near the myrtle.

How do you encourage vinca to spread?

Vinca is drought-tolerant and doesn’t require supplemental watering except on the hottest days. Fertilize vinca with a granular time-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage new growth and spread.

Will vinca choke out weeds?

Vinca minor, also known as just vinca or periwinkle, is a fast growing, easy groundcover. It’s appealing to gardeners and homeowners needing to cover areas of the yard as an alternative to grass. This creeping plant can be invasive though, choking out native plants.

How long does it take for Vinca to spread?

Sow vinca indoors 12-15 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds in seed-starting formula and cover with 1/8 inch of seed starting formula. Seeds are sensitive to overwatering, keep lightly moist. Seedlings emerge in 14-21 days at 75-78 degrees F.

How far apart do you plant Vinca?

Space lesser periwinkle plants 6 to 12 inches apart on slopes or steep banks to eliminate erosion and the need for dangerous mowing. The plants will completely cover the area in one year when planted 6 inches apart. When planted 12 inches apart, the area should be covered by the end of the second year.

How do I control my vinca ground cover?

Both plants are classified as invasive in different areas of the United States and spread by rooting from stem tips. Growing periwinkle in containers or sites where its stems can’t touch the soil, removing it manually, and spraying it with a systemic weedkiller such as glyphosate, all provide control.

Does vinca come back every year?

Vinca is grown as an annual. It will often return in following summers from self-sown seed. Annual vinca is not the same as the perennial periwinkles (Vinca minor or V. major) that are grown as groundcovers.

What colors do vincas come in?

Annual vinca grows 12 to 18 inches tall and comes in pink, purple, red, white, magenta, and bi-colors. The flowers are also attractive to butterflies.

How do I plant Myrtle ground cover?

If planting outdoors, replant the rooting creeping myrtle in an area that gets partial to full sun. Dig a hole about 6 inches deep, and add 1 inch of compost to the bottom. Transplant the rooting divisions about 6 to 8 inches apart for a quick-growing ground cover or about 8 to 12 inches apart for an attractive border.

How long does Vinca major bloom?

Dark green leaves (to 3” long) are ovate to lanceolate. Solitary, tubular, phlox-like, pale violet-blue flowers (to 1 1/2” across) bloom on upright stalks from the leaf axils in spring, and usually continue to bloom intermittently throughout the summer into autumn.

How do you plant a myrtle?

1. Find a Sunny Location. Decide where in your garden the crape myrtle should go. …
2. Choose a Variety. Choose a variety that won’t outgrow its space or need to be constantly pruned. …
3. Dig a Hole. Dig a hole three to four times as wide as the container. …
4. Plant the Tree. …
5. Water Gently. …
6. Mulch with Pine Straw.

Where should I plant myrtle?

Common myrtle prefer locations with high exposure to sunlight. It likes rich and well drained soil, that is where it flowers best. Adding soil conditioner when planting enhances settling in and root development.

What is the plant myrtle look like?

Common myrtle The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. The leaf is entire, 3–5 cm long, with a fragrant essential oil. The star-like flower has five petals and sepals, and numerous stamens. Petals usually are white.