Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Vinca difformis or Intermediate periwinkle

The genus Vinca, family Apocynaceae, includes 5 species of herbaceous plants and subshrubs native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The species are: Vinca difformis, Vinca minor, Vinca herbacea, Vinca major, Vinca erecta.

Common name: Intermediate periwinkle. This species is native to Europe.

They are evergreen herbaceous plants with a creeping bearing and long stems that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. They have leaves of opposite arrangement, oval shape ending in a point and a beautiful bright green color. The graceful helix-shaped flowers are so pale blue in color that they appear white. They bloom in winter and spring.

This easy-to-grow plant is used to cover areas of the garden under trees or shrubs (6 specimens per square meter) or in rockery not too exposed to the sun.

Vinca difformis needs a semi-shade exposure avoiding direct sun in the central hours of the day. If grown in the shade it will produce fewer flowers. It resists frost down to -12 ºC (10.4 ºF).

Intermediate periwinkle can grow in poor soil but prefers normal garden soil that contains abundant organic matter.

Water regularly so that the substrate does not dry out completely. Vinca difformis does not resist drought.

Fertilize in fall with compost and in early winter with slow-release mineral fertilizer.

Vinca difformis does not need pruning.

Intermediate periwinkle is a plant quite resistant to pests and diseases; it can be attacked by aphids and mites in case of drought.

Vinca difformis is propagated from seeds in spring or by division in mid spring.

Images of the plant Vinca difformis or Intermediate periwinkle