Description
Lesser periwinkle is a subshrub of the dogbane family. It grows wild in Europe, including Poland.
Periwinkle is an evergreen, shrubby plant producing many shoots that lie on the ground and gradually root, forming a carpet with large, five-petalled, lilac-blue flowers on long stalks. The leaves are oval, delicate and light green at first, later becoming dark green, glossy and leathery, with clearly visible veins. It grows 15 to 20 cm tall. There are many varieties of periwinkle differing in the colour of their flowers or leaves.
Requirements
Periwinkle grows well in fertile, sufficiently moist soils, in partially sunny and shady positions.
Propagation
It is propagated by division or by cuttings taken from shoot tips. Cuttings are planted several together in pots in autumn.
Care
In gardens periwinkle is used to cover bare areas (instead of grass) under trees and ornamental shrubs and is planted in perennial borders 60 x 30 cm apart. It needs turfy or peaty, humus-rich, slightly moist soil and a shady or partially shaded position.