Quick Description
One of the very best groundcovers for deep shade, featuring showy white flowers held over lustrous dark green evergreen foliage; does well in sun or deep shade, quickly forms a dense mat, even grows well under mature trees
Other Names: Common Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle
What Makes it Special?
Bowles Periwinkle has masses of beautiful purple flowers along the stems from mid spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its small glossy oval leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.
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Landscape Attributes
Bowles Periwinkle is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don’t particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Planting & Growing
Bowles Periwinkle will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.
This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. However, you may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn’t be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Bowles Periwinkle is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a ‘spiller’ in the ‘spiller-thriller-filler’ container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
Vinca minor 'Bowles'
Bowles Periwinkle
$19.00 – $104.00
$19.00 – $104.00
Click for Plant Facts – Height, Width, Sun, Water, & More!
Height : 6 inches
Spread: 18 inches
Sunlight: full sun to shade
Water Usage: average to moist
Landscape Use: Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Flower Color: Purple
Bloom Period:From Mid Spring To Early Summer
Foliage Type: evergreen
Foliage Color: Green
Deer Resistant?: Yes
Spread: 18 inches
Sunlight: full sun to shade
Water Usage: average to moist
Landscape Use: Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Flower Color: Purple
Bloom Period:From Mid Spring To Early Summer
Foliage Type: evergreen
Foliage Color: Green
Deer Resistant?: Yes
Want more info on sizes?
IndyPlants sells landscape size plant material. These often come in black nursery containers and are classified in sizes such as #2, #3, #5, etc. This correlates to the volume of the container, 2 gallon, 3, gallon, 5 gallon, etc. The bigger the number, the larger the pot, and the larger the plant. You’ll also see larger sizes such as 2” BB, 2.5” BB, 3” BB, etc. This stands for ‘Balled & Burlapped’. These plants are usually much larger and are not transported in black nursery pots. The sizing correlates to the diameter of the trunk of the tree.
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Do your plants have a warranty?
Nature can take a toll on even the best cared for plants. If your plant dies within one year from the date it was delivered, you’ll get an exact replacement to the best of our ability. If you’d prefer a substitution or a full refund, we’ve got you covered.