Groundcover & Vines – Spreading – Bowles’ Common Periwinkle

Bowles’ Common Periwinkle 

Botanical name: vinca minor ‘bowles’

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: 4-6 inches in height, indefinite spread

Hardy zone: zones 4-10 

Growth rate: spreads 1-3 ft per year 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: violet 

Bloom time:  spring, summer 

Pruning instructions: prune in the spring to maintain desired shape and size 

Propagation methods: propagate by division during the spring or early fall months 

Landscape use: groundcover 

Special features: deer resistant, rabbit resistant, shade tolerant, flood tolerant

Light needs: no more than 4 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in the early spring as new growth begins to emerge 

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil:  loam 

Companion plants: hosta, bleeding heart, hydrangea, ferns 

Toxicity level: toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: yes