Periwinkles
What are they?
Creeping plants that are distantly related to the milkweeds. Popular as groundcover in gardens, periwinkles have spread to the wider countryside mostly through the dumping of garden waste. The plants spread by long, trailing stems that root at the nodes where they touch the ground, eventually forming extensive patches.
Where are they found?
Found most often in suburban areas, on waste ground, grassy places and roadsides. Most often in lightly shaded areas.
Identification
The two species found in our area are rather similar, but are easily told apart by the shape of the leaves.
Lesser Periwinkle Vinca minor
Introduced as a garden plant but now widespread in grassy places and hedge bottoms, originating from dumped garden waste. Flowers March to May. A low, creeping plant, often forming quite extensive patches. Leaves are opposite, simple and narrowed at the base.
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Greater Periwinkle Vinca major
Introduced as a garden plant but now widespread in grassy places and hedge bottoms, originating from dumped garden waste. Flowers April to May. Usually a low, creeping plant, but occasionally scrambles up through hedges to a metre or more in height. Forms with variegated leaves or narrow petals are often found. Leaves are opposite, simple and broad at the base.
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Intermediate Periwinkle Vinca difformis
Introduced as a garden plant and recorded recently as an escape from cultivation or garden throw-out, though far less common than the other periwinkle species. Flowers March to May. Typically a little more upright in its growth than the other periwinkles and with pale blue or almost white petals. Leaves narrowly ovate, usually with hairless or only minutely hairy margins.
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