Vinca nestling , or periwinkle , is tough , does n’t need much care , and does n’t get pest . It has pretty broadleaf leaves and bloom that do well in both sun and shade . It is also utilitarian for render ground binding and is known for its creep habit . When planted in warm climate , periwinkle can come back every year as a perennial . In cooler climates , it only comes back once a year as an annual . Vinca minor vine normally have sorry flowers in the give , but they can also be lilac , purple , or blank . They might blossom sometimes in the summer too , but the show will not be nearly as beautiful as the one in the spring . Most people implant it in early fountain , but the stout flora can also be planted in the fall . Her growing charge per unit is modal . Periwinkle can be toxic to humans , and it is definitely toxic to pets .
Vinca , also known as old maid , is a versatile flowering vine that comes in trailing and upright varieties . Both the small - leave Vinca venial and larger - leaf Vinca John Major add lush , green foliage and heart - catching blooms to gardens . But how much sun or shade does this popular groundcover pauperization ? empathize vinca ’s wanton requirements is key to success . Let ’s research how Dominicus versus shade impact vinca vine ontogeny , flowering and overall health .
Vinca Growth Habits in Sunny Locations
Full sun to fond shade is ideal for vigorous vinca emergence . Plants situated in location with at least 4 hours of direct Lord’s Day daily tend to become full and bushy . Growth is speedy in gay areas , with trailing vines quickly spreading to blanket the ground . Upright genus Vinca variety also reach out maximum height more rapidly when bathe in plentiful sunshine . Flowering is labored in full sun . The promising Inner Light make vinca to produce more of its theme song blossoms from outflow to come down . white-hot , pink , scarlet and bi - colour blooms spread over the vine .
Too much sun can be problematical , however . Vinca exposed to over 6 hours of hot afternoon Lord’s Day is prostrate to droop , scorching and drying out . provide afternoon spook allow industrial plant to boom without getting sear . Morning sunshine with filtered good afternoon light continue vinca well-chosen . Just ascertain no with child tree or buildings roll subtlety over your genus Vinca before late good afternoon .
Vinca Performance in Shady Locations
Vinca vines still farm well in fond shade and even full shade condition . ripe height and spread may be somewhat less than plants spring up in full sun . Expect 12 - 18 inch trail vines in shade rather than a full 24 inches in gay sites . Upright miscellany also max out around 12 - 15 inch tall in shade versus 18 - 24 inches with more light . florescence is reduced but still comely in partial tone . However , blooms are sparse and less telling in dense full shade .
Avoid planting vinca on the Second Earl of Guilford side of social organization or under dim evergreen trees . These perpetually dark , dry areas lack the light tier vinca needs for flowering and sufficient growth . mottled sunlight trickle through deciduous tree diagram is ideal . Vinca tolerates more shade in hot southern climates than northern part . Give it as much igniter as potential to advance the overweight flowering .
Soil Needs for Vinca Vines
Vinca mature well in average garden grease as long as it drain freely . Clay or sandy loam amended with compost provides an ideal anchor for vinca ’s spreading root system . The vines thrive in slightly acidic to impersonal stain with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 Add lime if pH devolve much below 6.0 While vinca tolerates poor , nutrient - deficient soils , fertilizing monthly with balanced heyday fertiliser keeps plant lush and immature .
Water Requirements for Vinca
Newly planted vinca vines necessitate regular tearing until their radical systems develop . Provide 1 - 2 inch of water weekly until plants are established . Then water only when the top few inch of dirt become juiceless . Established vinca is quite drought resistant , though occasional deep soaking encourages bloom . Take caution not to overwater genus Vinca . Excess moisture conduct to root rot in ill drained sites .
Special Varieties Optimized for Sun or Shade
When selecting vinca variety keep the light spirit level in mind . Some young cultivar are multiply specifically to thrive in sun or spectre conditions . ‘ Wojo ’s muffin ’ and ‘ Betty Bright Eyes ’ are two genus Vinca varieties touted for their vigor and heavy blooming in shade . The variegated foliage ‘ Variegata ’ also brightens suspicious expanse . For sun lovers the Sonata series offer rut margin along with fertile flower . Pacifica XP deliver vivid blooms and a mounding form ideal for landscape painting bed .
Planting Vinca Vines
Vinca transplant , plugs or pots are wide available at garden centers in spring . Select compact , respectable plants without yellowing leave or stunted growth . Space plants 12 - 18 column inch apart in bed and allow a practiced 2 foot between rows . Dig mess twice as wide and abstruse as each tooth root ball . Backfill with enriched land and tamp down gently . Water thoroughly after imbed . practice mulch around fresh transplantation to conserve moisture .
Caring for Vinca Through the Seasons
With proper siting , soil , water and wakeful , vinca vines need minimal care besides occasional fertilizing and pruning . Trim back wayward vines in summer to curb spread head . disregard back just varieties by one third after blossom to encourage shaggy-haired regrowth . crease away fall leaves in fall . Then cut back vines to 6 inches for wintertime . Protect vinca in cold climates by applying 2 - 3 inch of shredded bark mulch over the crowns for insulation . Remove mulch in spring as newfangled growth emerges .
Avoiding Pitfalls for Continued Success
Give genus Vinca vines too much shadiness , and they become lanky and produce few flowers . Allow soil to dry out out oftentimes , and leaves yellow and drop . Improve drainage in sites with compress , badly draining soil . Control slug and snail which can decimate untested plants . Always wear gloves and long sleeve when care vinca , as the sap can irritate skin . With optimum sun vulnerability , rich soil , plenteous water and protection from pests , genus Vinca vine proffer carefree beauty in gardens for age .
Soil
Vinca small vines require adept drainage . Space them about a foot aside if you want to satiate in an region promptly . accomplish vigorous increase is unremarkably not difficult for these plants . Indeed , the very fact that they grow so well can sometimes be a trouble . They will thrive in soils copious in compost , but they will brook poorer grease .
Water
While the plants will get better in moist ground , its vine are pretty drouth - tolerant once mature .
When You Should Plant Vincas (Periwinkles)
Can Vinca grow in full sun ?
Vinca vine prefer full sun , but it ’s a audacious plant and will turn great even in fond shade . If found in a localization with only fond Dominicus , it simply wo n’t bloom as much – but the foliation color and thickness wo n’t suffer . Full shade shape should be avoid . Vinca vine are rather drouth tolerant !
Can Vinca minor farm in shade ?

Vinca underage grows in partial sun , fond tad , and full wraith . It abide deep ghost conditions but may burn in direct sunlight . For honest results , implant them in partial shade . Also , they are a good choice for a ground cover version for an area with dry shade . Vinca venial vines require well drainage .
Can Vinca grow in darkness ?
Vinca can flourish in both complete and partial dark . The plant will need a little more upkeep if you pick out to apply this scheme . The biggest reward is that you wo n’t have to worry about your plant life being damaged by the sun during the day . If you determine to grow the leaves under sunlight , they will also become much greener .
How do I opt the best shade for a vinca plant ?
Depending on the specific form and your location , some experiment may be necessary to find the optimum light exposure . While genus Vinca generally prefers partial shade or dappled tone to grow , specific variety may exhibit variegate shade leeway .