Vinca or periwinkle

in : Problems: Weeds

Symptoms

With its arching, rooting stems, vinca, or periwinkle, will race around the garden and cover the ground in no time.
Find it on all over the garden
Time to act spring to autumn

Problem categories

Overview

Vinca major or periwinkle is a pretty, low-growing plant often with pale blue flowers that is used as a ground cover plant because of its mat-forming properties. However, it can be very invasive, and will rapidly spread around the garden if it is not kept under control. Vinca minor, which is a neater plant with smaller leaves, is much less invasive and a better choice for ornamental use.
Solution
With its arching, rooting stems, vinca, or periwinkle, will race around the garden and cover the ground in no time.
Organic
The best organic control is digging the plant out and trimming it to keep it in check if you don't want to remove it altogether. If it spreads onto the lawn it can be controlled by mowing.
Chemical
If you don't want to dig it out, you can spot-treat the plant using a total weedkiller such as glyphosate. Avoid spraying on a windy day and near other desirable plants.

Discuss this problem

Talkback: Vinca or periwinkle
Your comment will appear after a quick registration step

Sharon14 24/11/2011 at 15:27

Yes, in the wrong place, it's a nightmare. But it's invaluable in one part of my garden - a north-facing 'bed' under two conifers - where nothing else will grow!

truckassessor 24/11/2011 at 15:28

How can I get rid of violets? I let a few grow because my wife likes the colours and now they are everywhere. The roots seem easy to pull out but days later, they're back again.