Vinca major 'Reticulata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

greater periwinkle 'Reticulata'

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Shrubs Herbaceous Perennial

An evergreen perennial or subshrub, to around 50cm high but spreading via long, arching shoots that root at the nodes. Glossy, oval-shaped leaves emerge veined with golden yellow, and mature to dark green. Violet flowers with broad petals are produced over a long period from late spring to autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade, Full shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Vinca can be evergreen subshrubs or herbaceous perennials, with simple, paired leaves and solitary, 5-lobed, salver-shaped flowers in the leaf axils
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any but very dry soil, in sun or shade; flowering is best in full sun. Has potential to become a nuisance if left unchecked

Propagation

Propagate by division or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

To restrict growth, cut back hard in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal infections including Phoma blight, rhizoctonia root rot and rust diseases