Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Vinca minor 'Bowles'
Bowles Periwinkle
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Height
- 4 to 6 inches
- Width
- 2 to 3 feet
- Flower color
- Lavender-blue
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green
- Bloom time
- Spring, with sporadic blooms in summer and fall
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; may require occasional trimming to control spread
- Growing zone
- Zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- None significant; primarily used as a ground cover
About this plant
Vinca minor 'Bowles' is a robust evergreen groundcover known for its profusion of periwinkle-blue flowers that bloom from spring into early summer, often continuing sporadically throughout the growing season. The star-shaped blooms sit above glossy, oval-shaped leaves, creating a lush, colorful carpet that is both ornamental and functional.
This cultivar, widely used in gardens for its adaptability, originates from selections of the European native Vinca minor. Its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions and its spreading habit make it a favored choice for controlling erosion, filling shaded spaces, or adding texture and color to underplantings.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Under Trees · Borders · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Ajugas · Leucothoes · Brunneras · Autumn ferns · Tiarellas · Hellebores
Design tip
Use broad sweeps beneath trees and shrubs to create a unified ground layer that ties larger plantings together. Contrast the glossy evergreen foliage with finely textured ferns and upright woodland perennials for a landscape that remains attractive in every season.
