Periwinkles are something that few gardens are without in some form and they are amongst the hardiest, most fool proof and easy evergreen plants to grow. They flower more profusely in sun but are perfectly happy in partial or full shade where they will colonise themselves and create their own mat of groundcover in much the same ways as ground ivy colonises bare earth in shade. Vinca may not be capable of climbing up trees like ivy does but Vinca major can certainly grow up and through adjacent shrubs and on hedges to display its flowers in light well above ground level.
Vinca will grow in absolutely any soil condition. The only real threat is drought which can kill them. If left to their own devices vinca will colonise large areas of a border or bank but you can easily keep them under control by giving large or small growing vincas a severe chop back in the spring. The growing tendrils root themselves as they spread so creating new plants from cuttings is seldom necessary and clumps can happily be chopped up with a spade if you want to spread them more widely in the garden.
Vinca major, greater periwinkle, grows to around 18in unless it has a host to climb up. It has blue-violet or dark violet flowers fairly randomly from spring to autumn. They often have odd flowers in a mild winter as well. The forms we offer of V. major are shown in the photographs below this article. Vinca major Vinca major Vinca major Vinca major Vinca major and chamaerops humilis
Vinca minor, lesser periwinkle, grows to between 4 and 8in. It also has blue flowers from spring to autumn and we offer various forms with different coloured flowers and foliage as seen below. Vinca minor Alba Vinca minor Alba Vinca minor Aureovariegata Vinca minor Bowles Variety Vinca minor Bowles Variety Vinca minor Surrey Marble
Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is a popular flowering plant that adds cheerful color to gardens and landscape beds. With their trailing vines and colorful blooms, vinca plants thrive in the warm weather of spring and summer. However, providing proper care during the cold winter months is key to ensuring vinca survives and returns healthy the following growing season. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about overwintering vinca plants successfully.
Understanding Vinca Plants
There are over 50 species in the vinca genus, which includes both annual and perennial varieties. The most commonly grown annual vinca is Catharanthus roseus, known as annual vinca or Madagascar periwinkle. This fast-growing plant produces flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and purple from spring until fall frost. Other vinca varieties include periwinkle vinca minor and vinca major.
Native to tropical and subtropical regions, annual vinca thrives in hot and humid environments. The plants reach 6-18 inches tall with a spreading, mounding form Vinca does well in full sun to partial shade exposure Its glossy green leaves and colorful blooms make it perfect for beds, borders, window boxes, hanging baskets, and containers.
Caring for Vinca in Winter
While annual vinca cannot survive freezing winter conditions, perennial vinca plants need special care to make it through harsh weather into spring Follow these key tips for winterizing vinca in garden beds and containers
Preparing In-Ground Vinca for Winter
Perennial vinca planted directly in the ground requires minimal preparation to overwinter successfully:
-
Lightly trim back any overgrown vines in early fall, Don’t cut more than 1/3 of the total growth
-
Remove spent blooms and any dead, damaged foliage to improve appearance and prevent disease.
-
Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base after the ground freezes to insulate plant roots from temperature fluctuations. Shredded leaves or evergreen boughs work well.
-
Cover beds with burlap or row cover if heavy snow or ice is expected. Avoid excessive moisture buildup.
-
Remove protective coverings in early spring so plants can emerge properly as temperatures warm.
Caring for Container Vinca
Potted vinca plants need a bit more winter protection than in-ground plantings:
-
Before frost, prune back leggy growth and remove dead leaves and flowers.
-
Provide shelter from wind and cold rain by moving pots to an unheated garage, porch, or under an overhang.
-
Water sparingly over winter, stopping once plants are fully dormant. The soil should remain slightly moist but not wet.
-
Place containers on trays or blocks to prevent freeze/thaw cycles of soil which can damage roots.
-
Check plants occasionally for any mold or rotting foliage, and remove if found.
-
Bring pots back outdoors once all danger of frost has passed in spring.
Reviving Vinca After Winter
Proper spring care ensures vinca rebounds vigorously from winter dormancy:
-
Gradually start watering as temperatures warm and new growth appears.
-
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to nurture new foliage and blooms.
-
Prune back any remaining dead vines or winter damaged areas. Avoid cutting healthy new growth.
-
Rake away mulch from in-ground plantings so the soil can warm effectively to stimulate root growth.
-
Repot container vinca into fresh soil if roots have filled the existing pots. Trim back extra long vines.
-
Be patient with slow spring growth, providing ideal conditions for the plant to revive fully.
-
Remove any physical winter protections from potted plants brought indoors once risk of frost has passed.
Dealing With Dieback
Harsh winter conditions occasionally cause significant dieback of vinca vines. Follow these tips if dieback occurs:
-
In early spring, prune all vines back to 2-3 inches above the soil line to stimulate new basal growth.
-
Clear away mulch and debris from the base of the plant to allow fresh growth.
-
Water and fertilize regularly to encourage regrowth from the roots up. Full recovery may take until midsummer.
-
If minimal regrowth occurs after several months, the plants likely succumbed to winter damage and should be removed and replaced.
Key Considerations for Overwintering Vinca
Keeping these things in mind will help ensure your vinca successfully survives winter:
-
Avoid excessive mulching which can cause crown rot and suppress spring growth.
-
Prevent heavy snow or ice buildup on plants which can break dormant vines.
-
Don’t cut vinca back severely in fall to avoid removing healthy wood that protects the base through winter.
-
Water very sparingly once plants become dormant to prevent freeze damage or root rot issues.
-
Be patient in spring for new growth to emerge. Don’t assume plants are dead too quickly.
-
Provide ideal growing conditions in spring/summer to help plants bounce back fully after winter dormancy.
While vinca cannot withstand freezing winter temperatures, proper seasonal care allows perennial varieties to survive dormant and revive vigorously in spring. Follow these tips to successfully overwinter potted or in-ground vinca plants. With a bit of fall preparation and early spring TLC, your vinca will continue gracing your garden for years to come.
Information, Help & Advice
Periwinkles are something that few gardens are without in some form and they are amongst the hardiest, most fool proof and easy evergreen plants to grow. They flower more profusely in sun but are perfectly happy in partial or full shade where they will colonise themselves and create their own mat of groundcover in much the same ways as ground ivy colonises bare earth in shade. Vinca may not be capable of climbing up trees like ivy does but Vinca major can certainly grow up and through adjacent shrubs and on hedges to display its flowers in light well above ground level.
Vinca will grow in absolutely any soil condition. The only real threat is drought which can kill them. If left to their own devices vinca will colonise large areas of a border or bank but you can easily keep them under control by giving large or small growing vincas a severe chop back in the spring. The growing tendrils root themselves as they spread so creating new plants from cuttings is seldom necessary and clumps can happily be chopped up with a spade if you want to spread them more widely in the garden.
Vinca major, greater periwinkle, grows to around 18in unless it has a host to climb up. It has blue-violet or dark violet flowers fairly randomly from spring to autumn. They often have odd flowers in a mild winter as well. The forms we offer of V. major are shown in the photographs below this article. Vinca major Vinca major Vinca major Vinca major Vinca major and chamaerops humilis
Vinca minor, lesser periwinkle, grows to between 4 and 8in. It also has blue flowers from spring to autumn and we offer various forms with different coloured flowers and foliage as seen below. Vinca minor Alba Vinca minor Alba Vinca minor Aureovariegata Vinca minor Bowles Variety Vinca minor Bowles Variety Vinca minor Surrey Marble
When You Should Plant Vincas (Periwinkles)
FAQ
How do you keep vinca over the winter?
Overwintering. Depending on your climate, variegated vinca can remain outside during the winter or be brought inside for colder regions. If you leave it outside, before the first frost, cover the area where the plant grows with a 3- or-4-inch layer of organic mulch.
Do vincas come back year after year?
Vinca is grown as a summer annual, but the seed will often self-sow around the garden the next year.
Does vinca stay green all winter?
Vinca is a tough, reliable ground cover that offers evergreen foliage and spring flowers.
Should vinca be cut back in the fall?
So, no heavy pruning at this time, but just enough to reshape the plants and make them more attractive for the warmish weather that lies ahead. Keep the soil moist and fertilize. Give vinca plants a light pruning during the fall to stimulate flower growth. The annuals often decline during winter.