Purple flowers contrast beautifully against green foliage for a striking yard. These options are ideal for shadier garden ...

The plant: There’s a spot at The Farm where Vinca minor has been growing happily for at least 14 years, nestled in dappled light in the shade of some trees. I’ve watched it grow, walked over ...

Q. Our Vinca minor is in its third year since planting. It looked great this spring … lively, lush, green, lots of small purple flowers. In fact, it never looked better. A month or so ago, we ...

But which plant are you talking about? Vinca major, vinca minor, vining vinca? Not to mention some people confuse vincas with impatiens. The common, sun-loving vinca has the genus name catharanthus.

Vinca minor (Zone 4-8) and major (Zones 7-9) are perennial vincas that are cold hardy and prefer part sun to full shade. These have trailing, creeping habits and are used as groundcovers.

This year, my weigela is struggling. It didn’t bloom well at all. Thinking I should take all that vinca out. Any thoughts? A: I’m doubtful that the vinca is what’s causing the problem.

The true Vincas, Vinca minor and Vinca major, have similar flowers in shades of blue-purple and are shade-loving, woody, ground cover plants. Originally, Catharanthus was named Vinca roseus, and by ...

Response from Gina Pederson, Advanced Master Gardener: Vinca minor (common periwinkle) is a great groundcover for partial shade but can be hard to eradicate. If you don't like the look in your ...

Q: I have a ton of vinca growing under my trees and would like to start replacing it this fall with native groundcovers. Any suggestions of good options? –R.M., Hatfield A: I am so glad you ...