This charming hardy perennial is perfect for planting in groups through a sunny herbaceous border. Its upright stems boast dark green, slender foliage topped with dense clusters of pink flowers with bright white centres.
Vinca major 'Variegata' is a great choice for low maintenance parts of the garden such a slopes or areas which are difficult to access.
Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' is an elegant but understated addition to herbaceous borders; its dark, slender foliage and dazzling white blooms create a pleasing contrast. The nectar rich flowers are borne at the tips of its upright stems and prove irresistible to butterflies.
Creeping stems bearing variegated cream and green leaves knit together to form an evergreen carpet, creating an attractive background to the pretty, violet-blue flowers which appear from spring to early autumn. Vinca major 'Wojo's Gem' is less assertive than vinca minor but equally vigorous, forming useful groundcover in virtually any garden conditions, perfect for those tricky spots where other plants refuse to grow.
Vinca major is an easygoing, hardy shrub: come rain or shine, sunlight or shade, its evergreen leaves will flourish. This foliage provides great ground coverage, leaving little room for weeds. Greater Periwinkle also boasts lovely, dark blue blooms. These flowers have a long flowering period, from April to September, even when placed in tricky, shady corners. The plant is therefore a great addition to beds and borders in cottage and woodland gardens. Height: 45cm (1'6). Spread: 75cm (2'6).
Vinca minor 'Illumination' or Lesser Periwinkle is a versatile low maintenance plant that offers so much. Because of it's trailing habit and low height it makes the perfect ground cover solution. The variegated evergreen foliage will romp over sunny banks or beneath trees in either full sun or shade and will also provide delightful violet-blue periwinkle flowers from late spring to autumn. Vinca minor 'Illumination' will also earn its keep as a year round trailing plant for hanging baskets or containers. Height: 20cm (8) Spread: 50cm (20).
There are parts of every garden that are shady and difficult to populate with healthy plants that provide service as ground cover but will also delight the eye too, Vinca minor ?Gertrude Jekyll' is a worthy contender. The weed-suppressing shiny evergreen foliage will remain through the year and forms a backdrop to its pristine white flowers from spring until autumn. Vinca isn't only a shade-loving plant, it is happy in sunny positions too so this versatility and it's low growing creeping habit means that you can just plant it and leave it to get on with it's job. Height: 20cm (8) Spread: 50cm (19).