{"product_id":"flore-pleno-purple-periwinkle-vinca-minor-flore-pleno","title":"Flore Pleno Purple Periwinkle - Vinca minor 'Flore Pleno'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFlore Pleno Purple Periwinkle (\u003cem\u003eVinca minor\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt covers ground fast.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt copes with difficult sites.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep shade, poor soil and soggy ground suit it well. The one thing it dislikes is very dry soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurple flowers, even in shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowering is best in sun, but it still flowers in deep shade, where most groundcovers give up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtremely cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost does not trouble it, and the dark green leaves stay on the plant through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmaller than the common vinca.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about two thirds the size of other vincas it also suits windowboxes and containers, not just big beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnder trees and shrubs.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBanks and slopes.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rooting stems bind loose soil on embankments. Set plants 40cm apart in staggered rows and mulch the gaps while they fill in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWindowboxes and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its compact size lets it trail over the edge of a windowbox or pot. Use a good potting mix and keep it moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Flore Pleno Purple Periwinkle in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\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=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-best-ground-cover-plants-for-shade\"\u003eThe best groundcovers for shade in Australian gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse the full groundcover range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-full-shade\"\u003eMore plants for full shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eOther frost hardy plants for cold gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 40cm apart for a dense groundcover. Closer spacing covers the soil a little sooner, and wider spacing simply takes longer to join up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it take over my garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have not marked it pet friendly. Vinca contains alkaloids, so it is best kept away from pets and children that chew plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789643415871,"sku":"VIN-MIN-FLOREP-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/flore-pleno-purple-periwinkle-vinca-minor-flore-pleno.jpg?v=1792192760","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/flore-pleno-purple-periwinkle-vinca-minor-flore-pleno","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}