Greater Periwinkle

Vinca Major

Blue stars twinkling at you from the shadow of stout trees in your local park are probably greater periwinkle. Sought after for city gardens, it thrives in dry shade and is often used as ground cover for its lush year-round foliage – just stay quick-witted to prevent it from overrunning less vigorous plants nearby. Being poisonous, it’s not one you can control by harvesting for the salad bowl, but its long and flexible stems are useful to make into twine or cord for weaving.

Botanist’s craft

The long stems of periwinkle are perfect for cord, and can be woven into baskets and macramé plant hangers. Gather a handful of the longest stems, strip off the leaves, and you’re ready to go. Whatever you’re weaving will tighten nicely as the stems dry.

Anatomy notes

Plant in autumn – for an even greater stellar effect, try the whiteflowered Alba cultivar. Whatever the colour, periwinkle flowers will attract pollinators to your garden. The Variegata version features leaves with light-golden margins. It’s a slower grower and easier to control in small garden beds. Old-time herbalists used periwinkle as a laxative, for piles and skin complaints, but not anymore.

The stems grow to cover the ground extensively, and put out more roots at their nodes, where the leaves grow, to ensure domination of their competitors.

Where to find it

Also known as ‘Grave Myrtle’, periwinkle thrives under trees and hedges, spreading up to 2.5m long. Flowers from April to June.