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. … Another common name, lesser periwinkle, is the source of the name of the color periwinkle blue, like the flowers. Greater periwinkle is Vinca major.

Are creeping myrtle and vinca the same?

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).

What is another name for vincas?

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

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 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.

Is myrtle a shade loving plant?

Creeping myrtle is a shade-loving ground cover that produces delicate purple flowers against glossy evergreen leaves.

Are impatiens and vinca the same plant?

Impatiens flowers are truly flat, whereas vinca flowers have a deep and almost bell-shaped structure. … Another clue to the identity of the mystery flower is whether it’s growing in sun or shade and how healthy it looks in such an environment. Vincas thrive in full sun, whereas impatiens prefer some shade.

Is vinca also periwinkle?

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).

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.

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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.

Is Myrtle A Periwinkle?

Vinca minor, more likely to be known as periwinkle, creeping myrtle or just myrtle is a commonly used trailing, mat-forming evergreen ground cover. This plant is not only grown for its attractive shiny foliage, but the common name perfectly describes the pretty bloom color.

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.

Does creeping myrtle climb?

Growing Habit and Cultivar Selection Creeping myrtle spreads by above-ground stems called stolons that trail in a mat or spread outward from a mound. Each plant in a mat grows up to 6 inches tall but spreads up to 3 feet wide.

Will creeping myrtle choke out other plants?

These low-lying plants do not choke out other species, but they can hinder their growth with proper maintenance, especially during establishment.

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.

When can you plant creeping myrtle?

Planting Time It’s best to plant creeping myrtle in early spring, before its blooming season. That said, it is a hardy plant and tolerates planting through mid to late fall as well. It spreads quickly, with roots that develop at the nodes where they touch the soil.

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. Water well during the first 2 years after planting.

What does the ground cover myrtle look like?

Creeping myrtle is a fast-spreading, 4- to 8-inch-tall, evergreen groundcover with shiny green leaves borne in pairs on long, arching stems. Star-like, 1-inch-wide blue flowers bloom for one month in spring.

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.

Does Myrtle stay green all year?

Myrtle, also called creeping myrtle and lesser periwinkle, tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, and it stays green and lush year-round.

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.

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.

Are SunPatiens the same as vinca?

SunPatiens cost more than regular Vinca like the Pacifica Series. SunPatiens, at this time, only come in solid color blooms compared to some varieties of Vinca which have multiple colors in the flowers. … They are taller than Vinca so they’re not an option for a low growing sun annual.

What can I plant instead of 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.

What flowers are similar to vincas?

Vinca major and vinca minor, also known as periwinkle, and impatiens are both widely used flowering ground cover plants. Impatiens and vinca have some similarities and both are available in multiple colors of cultivars, so that one may be mistaken for the other.

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.

When should vinca be planted?

Vincas don’t like cold weather, so wait to plant yours until on or after May 1st. It’s tempting to rush these charmers into the ground, so you can enjoy them, but one cold night is all it takes to damage the plants. When you do plant them, choose a location where they can enjoy full sun to part shade.

How long do vinca plants live?

Normally, the vinca minor plant lasts only one year, however, that depends on where the periwinkle plant is growing. In northern climates, this ornamental plant would be considered an annual that usually last for only one year.

Which vinca are perennials?

Vinca minor (Zone 4-8) and major (Zones 7-9) are perennial vincas that are cold hardy and prefer part sun to full shade. These have trailing, creeping habits and are used as groundcovers. In some areas, Vinca minor may naturalize and be invasive.

Is Vinca minor the same as periwinkle?

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.