Vinca minor Ralph Shugert (Lesser Periwinkle)

Award-winning Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' (Lesser Periwinkle) is an evergreen, trailing shrub with glossy dark green leaves adorned with narrow white edges, and large, bright violet-blue flowers from mid-spring to early summer. 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.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• 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.