Vinca major periwinkle carpet with glossy green leaves and violet-blue flowers along a wall

Vinca Major Periwinkle

Vinca major
Categories:
Groundcovers  ·  
Ground Covers
Light
Partial shade
Water
Moderate water; irrigate deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry. Needs regular summer irrigation in Phoenix; avoid soggy soil.
Size
0.5-1 ft tall × 3-6 ft wide
Habit
Groundcover – trailing
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Description
Bigleaf periwinkle is a spreading perennial groundcover with glossy leaves and violet-blue flowers. Unlike annual vinca, it needs shade and supplemental irrigation in Phoenix.
Bloom Time
Late winter to spring; sporadic rebloom possible
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Growth Rate
Fast
Growth Habit
Groundcover – trailing
Mature Size
0.5-1 ft tall × 3-6 ft wide
Flower Color
Violet-blue
Foliage Color
Dark green
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape
Garden Style
Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Shade / Indoor
Soil
Amended / Rich, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Clivia, Irrigated shade, Mondo grass
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Toxic to pets & humans if ingested (vinca alkaloids)
Care Instructions

Light: Partial to full shade; gentle morning sun is acceptable. Protect from intense afternoon sun and reflected heat.

Water: Moderate water; irrigate deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry. Needs regular summer irrigation in Phoenix; avoid soggy soil.

Soil: Well-drained soil amended with compost; tolerates varied soil textures but struggles in waterlogged soil.

Mature size: 12–18 inches tall, sometimes reaching 24 inches; spreads 3–6 feet or more and can expand indefinitely where stems root.

Bloom: Primarily late winter through spring in Phoenix, with occasional flowers during mild weather.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; foliage may suffer damage from hard frost or extreme summer heat.

Growth rate: Fast with adequate moisture and protection from extreme heat.