Flore Pleno Purple Periwinkle

Flore Pleno Purple Periwinkle (Vinca minor 'Flore Pleno') is a low, fast-spreading groundcover that grows only about 20cm tall but reaches around 1m wide. Its dark green oval leaves root down along the stems to form a dense mat, and purple flowers open in spring, even in deep shade. It is a little less vigorous than the common vinca, which makes it easier to live with.

Why you'll love it

• It covers ground fast. The stems root as they run, so one plant knits into a wide mat that closes over bare soil and leaves little room for weeds.
• It copes with difficult sites. Deep shade, poor soil and soggy ground suit it well. The one thing it dislikes is very dry soil.
• Purple flowers, even in shade. Flowering is best in sun, but it still flowers in deep shade, where most groundcovers give up.
• Extremely cold hardy. Frost does not trouble it, and the dark green leaves stay on the plant through winter.
• Smaller than the common vinca. At about two thirds the size of other vincas it also suits windowboxes and containers, not just big beds.

Where it works best

Under trees and shrubs. Plant 40cm apart and the mats join within a season or two, covering the bare ground beneath. Mulch between the young plants until they meet.

Banks and slopes. The rooting stems bind loose soil on embankments. Set plants 40cm apart in staggered rows and mulch the gaps while they fill in.

Windowboxes and containers. Its compact size lets it trail over the edge of a windowbox or pot. Use a good potting mix and keep it moist.

Growing Flore Pleno Purple Periwinkle in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to deep shade, with the best flowering in sun. It is extremely cold hardy and happiest in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. In humid subtropical gardens give it shade and steady moisture, and we do not recommend it for the tropics.

Soil. Most soils will do, including poor, clay and soggy ground. Very dry soil is the exception, so under thirsty trees work compost into the planting hole. Mulch and a little slow release fertiliser at planting help it get away.

Water and feed. Mulch and keep it watered until it is established. After that it manages on rainfall in most gardens, but give it a deep drink in a long dry spell, because dry soil is what slows it down.

Pruning. Cut it back when it starts to grow too wide, and it regrows readily. Because it roots along its stems, give it a path or hard edge to stop it, and keep it away from bushland and creek lines, where vinca can escape. Check your local council's weed advice before planting near either.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Flore Pleno Purple Periwinkle as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small plant with a few short runners, not a mat. At 40cm spacing it fills in over a season or two, faster in warm, moist conditions. Plant it soon after it arrives and water it in well.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best groundcovers for shade in Australian gardens
• Browse the full groundcover range
• More plants for full shade
• Other frost hardy plants for cold gardens

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 40cm apart for a dense groundcover. Closer spacing covers the soil a little sooner, and wider spacing simply takes longer to join up.

Will it take over my garden?

It can spread, because the stems root wherever they touch the soil. This cultivar is less vigorous than the common vinca, but you should still give it a hard edge and cut it back once a year. Keep it out of bushland and away from creeks.

Is it safe for pets?

We have not marked it pet friendly. Vinca contains alkaloids, so it is best kept away from pets and children that chew plants.