{"product_id":"dart-s-blue-periwinkle-vinca-minor-dart-s-blue","title":"Dart's Blue Periwinkle - Vinca minor 'Dart's Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003eDart's Blue Periwinkle (\u003cem\u003eVinca minor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Dart's Blue') is a vigorous, evergreen groundcover that grows 30cm tall and spreads 1.5m or more by rooting along its stems. Dark green oval leaves carry bright blue-purple, five-petalled flowers, best in sun but produced in shade as well. It is an improved form of the classic Bowles and La Grave periwinkle, with better disease resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCovers large areas.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stems root as they spread, forming wide mats that suppress weeds under shrubs and trees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThrives in deep shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows where lawn and most groundcovers give up, including beneath dense trees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost does not trouble it, so it suits the coldest gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough underfoot.\u003c\/strong\u003e It bounces back after being walked on, and wildlife largely leave it alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn improved selection.\u003c\/strong\u003e It has more disease resistance than the classic Bowles and La Grave vinca.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnder shrubs and trees.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart beneath established plantings, where the mat will close within a season or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEmbankments and slopes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its rooting stems bind the soil, so it is useful on banks that are hard to mow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeep shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it in dark corners where little else will grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Dart's Blue Periwinkle in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sun to deep shade. It flowers best in sun but still flowers in shade. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is very cold hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Most soils, except very dry ones. Mulch and fertilise at planting time to help it establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and keep it watered until established. After that it copes with dry spells, though it dislikes very dry soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Chop it back to keep it in check if it starts growing too wide. This plant is vigorous, so keep it out of bushland and creek lines and bin the clippings. All parts are toxic if eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Dart's Blue Periwinkle as tube stock and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical way to cover a large area. The 200mm pots give a bank or bed an established look in its first year. Plants travel well and settle within a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse all groundcovers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-retaining-walls\"\u003ePlants for retaining walls and banks\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-full-shade\"\u003ePlants for full shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-best-ground-cover-plants-for-shade\"\u003eThe best groundcovers for shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it invasive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is vigorous and roots along its stems, so site it carefully. Keep it away from bushland, bin the clippings and chop it back if it wanders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it flower in deep shade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, though flowering is best in sun. In deep shade you will still get blooms, but the leaves are the main show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Periwinkle is toxic if eaten, so it is not suited to areas where pets or small children chew plants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789643252031,"sku":"VIN-MIN-DARTSB-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67789643284799,"sku":"VIN-MIN-DARTSB-200MM-P6","price":130.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/dart-s-blue-periwinkle-vinca-minor-dart-s-blue.jpg?v=1792192751","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/dart-s-blue-periwinkle-vinca-minor-dart-s-blue","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}