A common groundcover is Vinca minor, sometimes known as the “dwarf periwinkle.” However, this plant is sometimes known as “lesser periwinkle” or “myrtle.” It may cover even enormous areas with the help of its long stolons and produces stunning blue-violet blooms. You may enjoy this beautiful bloom from the beginning to the end of summer. The dwarf periwinkle seems to be a good eye, whether in a garden or a park. The plant comes in a variety of colors than only blue-violet. The natural soil plant grows to around 10 centimeters in height. It thrives in a variety of environments, including slopes and under trees. Vinca minor may be used to efficiently and aesthetically cover your landscape.
Care
The dwarf periwinkle not only acts as a fantastic eye-catcher but also requires very little care. Thus, even novice growers may successfully cultivate the plant. The dwarf periwinkle is unique due to its evergreen foliage and enduring bloom brilliance. The plant is also quite hardy and not especially vulnerable to diseases or pests.
Place and soil
Vinca minor favors shaded or somewhat shady areas. However, fully gloomy regions make it impossible for the lovely plant to develop. The dwarf periwinkle doesn’t have many requirements for the soil. It thrives in all environments, including breathable, healthy, warm, and humid soil. Additionally, the soil could be chalky or somewhat acidic. The dwarf periwinkle is only entirely unsuited to thick and compacted soils.
Sowing
For novices, planting dwarf periwinkle is relatively challenging. Additionally, it is uncommon for retailers to sell seeds.
Cultivation
The optimal temperature for germination is around 19-24 degrees at night and between 24 and 28 degrees during the day. Within three to six weeks, the new plants are then pierced. Keep the space between the plants at two to three cm while pricking them.
You may already sow the seeds in a bed before the end of May. However, all elements must come together ideally to correctly extract the dwarf periwinkle from seeds. Dwarf periwinkles are thus often not grown from seeds.
Planting
- The optimal time to grow vinca minor is in the spring:
- Weeds in the designated location should be pulled up.
- So that the little roots may develop swiftly and safely, the soil should next be thoroughly loosened.
- Add some mulching or well-decayed garden compost to the soil when you have some.
- Dig a plant hole after removing the container from the root ball.
- Then, after setting the vinca minor throughout the middle of the hole, fill it halfway with dirt.
- After completely slurrying the spot with water, the remaining dirt should be added.
Ideal planting distance
It is advised to maintain a specified planting distance when you eventually plant the vinca minor within your garden so the dwarf periwinkle would astound you with a beautiful growth and a stunning bloom. For instance, if you want the space to become green rapidly, you should only use ten to twelve plants per square meter. You may use fewer plants, which is perfectly safe if rapid greening is not something you’re concerned about.
Cutting
The dwarf periwinkle doesn’t need to be cut. You may only reduce it if the multiplication is unpleasant or excessive. As a result, the plant accepts a fairly rigorous trimming with ease.
Cutting technique:
- Ideally, trimming should take place in March.
- Dwarf periwinkle should be pruned to just above the ground.
- Keep as many branches with closed buds as possible to encourage regrowth as possible when you trim them.
- The plant becomes bushier the more branches you leave on it.
- If desired, you may propagate the lovely plant using the cut-off pieces as cuttings.
- The sliced pieces should be disposed of in the organic garbage if multiplication is not desired.
Fertilization and watering
Depending on where it is, the dwarf periwinkle has to be watered. It can be required to water the plant each day during the warm months, for instance, if it was planted in an area that receives a lot of sunlight. Nevertheless, you should only pour the plant a little throughout winter. There is no requirement for fertilizers.
In short, the vinca minor is a perennial plant that produces stunning, long-lasting blooms and is often utilized in gardens and parks. Similarly, nevertheless, the lovely plant may also be used as grave decoration. Vinca minor Anna and vinca minor Marie are two kinds often used for this purpose because of their somewhat flat growth patterns. Additionally, they have rather delicate foliage, which prevents them from seeming too massive.