Vinca Minor Blue

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Apocynaceae

Order

Gentianales

Genus

Vinca

Species

minor

Description

Ornamental perennial herbaceous, evergreen and rhizomatous. Its tapestry-like habit makes it suitable for creating dense ground cover dotted with numerous small, elegant flowers in spring and summer; it is also suitable for hanging baskets and tubs where its drooping habitus creates highly decorative results, even in mixed compositions with other flowering herbaceous plants or decorative foliage. It tolerates low temperatures well, preferring exposures in half-shade in cool, well-draining soil.

Variety description

Perennial plant with green leaves. Bears small lavender-blue flowers in spring and summer. Plant that is suitable as a ground cover, can be planted in shady areas, or in half-shade. Not afraid of low temperatures.

Curiosities and special features

The genus name, Vinca, means winding or coiling in reference to the long, flexible creeping stems and stolons that were used in antiquity to create garlands, while the specific epithet minor emphasises the smaller size compared to the species Vinca major.

Origin and distribution

Botanical species native to the temperate climate Eurasian range.

Flower size

The flower of this variety of Vinca minor is small, lending elegance to the lush bloom.

Leaf

The slightly leathery, evergreen leaves have an oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from mid-spring to early autumn for a duration of 90 to 120 days, providing a long lasting accent of colour to your outdoor green spaces.

Leaf colour

Varieties with plain leaf.

Plant height

The plant varies in height from 0.1 to 0.2 m, making it perfect for creating dense foliage coverings dotted with numerous flowers.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen herb.

Where to plant

Versatile in use, it is suitable for adding a unique decorative accent to flower beds, planters, vertical walls, trays

Stem

The stem is herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is small and simple in shape, with single-coloured petals. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 90 and 120 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

The drooping habitus allows a decorative result with a high density of coverage.

Branching

It develops stolons.

PH

It prefers a slightly acidic soil or substrate pH, with optimum values between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, carry out light digging to remove any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky pebbles, then bury organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser to provide the necessary nutrients in the early stages of development at the new planting site.

Sun exposure

It prefers exposures in half-shade, shade to express the best vegetative vigour followed by luxuriant flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 20 °C during vegetative growth. The vital temperature is between -5 and 38 °C

Use

Highly valued for its bearing and flowering in:

Outdoor ornamental

It is an extremely interesting plant that can be used as a hanging plant on tubs or tubs, also as a base for other flowering or green plants; also suitable as a ground cover in shaded or half-shaded areas.

Hardiness

Variety with medium to high hardiness; suitable for cold winter climates, also withstands temporarily frozen ground conditions.

Soil

It prefers fresh, light and well-draining soil; for pots and planters, use a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite.

Difficulty

An easy-to-grow variety, it requires a low level of maintenance effort.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation tips specific to the variety:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Prefer shady locations in summer to avoid dry spells and high afternoon temperatures

Combinations with other plants

It is ideal as a ground cover plant both for creating dense, homogenous ground cover as well as for compact, colourful ornamental compositions with other ornamental grasses such as Ajuga, Calocephalus, Cineraria maritima, Convallaria, Dipladenia, Ipomea and ferns, resulting in perspective views with high landscape value. Fascinating also the use with Vinca major.

Planting

We recommend an average density of 8 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper vegetative development of each specimen. We recommend placing each seedling without completely sinking the lump to prevent rotting of the collar. Water after planting without causing water stagnation.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by node cuttings or from stolons.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acidic pH, either manually or by means of an irrigation system. Immediately after transplanting, intervene with balanced supplies free from saturation conditions and assist the seedling in the first stages of development in the new planting site. After rooting, always keep the substrate or soil moist without exceeding the water supply in order to prevent stagnation, which can encourage the development of fungal diseases with subsequent root rot. During the winter period reduce the water supply, depending on the temperatures present.

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation by burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following a proper settling in the new planting site, apply a specific fertiliser for ornamental species to the soil or substrate at the foot of the plant, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Pet safety

Causes ingestion toxicity.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxic due to the presence of the alkaloid vincristine.

Tip

A plant that can be used as a ground cover on flowerbeds, and is capable of containing many weeds in the soil. It can also be shaved to contain the height growth that is created when it has filled the spaces. It can be planted together with its cousin Vinca Major.