Vinca minor Illumination (Lesser Periwinkle)

Vinca minor 'Illumination' (Lesser Periwinkle) is a prostrate evergreen perennial with a brightly variegated foliage and violet-blue flowers. Emerging chartreuse with dark green edges, the leaves mature to a rich golden color before softening to a cream color. Violet-blue flowers, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), appear in mid-spring and contrast well against the foliage. Borne over a long period, they continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall and are valuable for enlivening dark areas. The long, trailing stems root at the nodes as they go along the ground to form a dense carpet of rich foliage. Excellent for suppressing weeds, this variegated periwinkle is not as aggressive as the species.

• Forms a mat up to 4-6 in. tall (10-15 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Plant 8 in. apart (20 cm) for quick cover of smaller areas. Plant 12-18 in. apart (30-45 cm) to cover large areas.
• Thrives in full sun to part shade in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates close to full shade but flowers best in full sun. Dry soil and drought tolerant.
• Excellent choice as a groundcover, for banks and slopes or underplanting shrubs. Good cover for bulbs too!
• A hardy, low-maintenance and forgiving groundcover, it is also deer and rabbit resistant. 
• No serious pest or disease issues. May be subject to aphids or rust.
• Propagate by division in spring or autumn and by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
• Vinca minor species is native to Europe and Asia.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.