Vinca major and vinca minor , also know as bigleaf periwinkle and common periwinkle , are evergreen bloom vine often used as ground cover . With their shiny leaves and eye - catching flower , it ’s no wonder they are staples in many gardens and landscape .
But if you are endeavor to decide between genus Vinca major and vinca minor , it helps to understand the central difference between these two popular ground cover plants . Here is a detailed comparison of vinca major vs vinca pocket-sized to help you pick out the honorable one for your specific need
Plant Description
Both vinca major and vinca pocket-sized are trailing perennials that spread along the ground They have dour green , waxy leaves and bring about purple - profane flowers However , there are some far-famed physical differences
Size – Vinca major farm importantly larger than vinca pocket-size Mature superlative for genus Vinca major is around 90 centimeter compared to only 40 centimeter for vinca underage
Leaves – Vinca John Major has broader , bosom - shaped leaves . Vinca minor leaves are smaller and narrower with a lance build .
Flowers – The salad days of vinca major are nigh twice the size of vinca minor flowers . They are jazzy and more striking .
Growth Habit and Spread
Both vinca major and vinca pocket-sized gap along the ground and kind mat . However , vinca minor is easier to control and keep control .
Vinca minor originate at a dim , more manageable rate than vinca major . It also tends to stay low to the ground rather than extend upright .
Vinca major is more aggressive and vigorous . It can quick get out of control , overtake other plant and fan out beyond intended boundaries .
Both spread by long stems that root at nodes . But vinca minor ’s stems are not as all-inclusive .
For these reasons , vinca pocket-size is generally a upright choice if you want to avoid a chop-chop spreading , weedy footing cover . Vinca major requires more watchfulness and upkeep to keep it in bounds .
Growing Conditions
Vinca major and vinca minor share similar needs in terms of preferable grow conditions :
Sun – Both tolerate partial specter to full Lord’s Day . However , they produce more prolific flowers in localization with more sun photograph .
land – Well - debilitate ground with average moisture is ideal . But both will tolerate poor soils provided drain is adequate .
Hardiness – Hardy in USDA zones 4 - 9 . They can suffer cold winter and temperate frost when established .
Water – Require weekly watering until established . matured flora have better drouth margin but prime best with even wet .
Overall , both vinca vines are adaptable and low-pitched - care once establish . The key is providing well - drained soil and partial sun to full sun .
Bloom Season
One of the main reasons to develop genus Vinca major or vinca minor is for their efflorescence . The flower time for both is quite extensive :
prime appear in early spring and last through downfall rime .
Peak rosiness is usually in May but can vary based on your clime .
Deadheading drop blooms encourages more flowering .
So you may expect calendar month of color from either vinca variety . However , vinca major create slightly bombastic flowers so it provides a bolder floral display .
Maintenance Needs
To keep either vinca major or vinca minor appear their best , minimal care and maintenance is want :
Watering – Water weekly until prove . Then only weewee during drought .
feed – Apply balanced fertilizer in former spring . Avoid high - nitrogen rule that drive leafy growth .
Pruning – Trim back wayward stems and deadhead spend flowers to promote compact growth and efflorescence .
weed – Remove competing weeds which these vines pronto overwhelm .
Division – exchange or divide congested areas every 2 - 3 years to rejuvenate growth .
Vinca major will in all probability need more frequent pruning and aggressive division to keep its vigorous increase under ascendance . But in general , maintenance needs are modest for either change .
Propagation
Vinca major and vinca modest both disperse well from prow cuttings and division :
Stem cuttings – Take 3 - 4 in cuttings in spring or summer . Dip in rooting hormone and plant in potting admixture . Keep moist until rooted .
variance – Dig up established clumps and dissever into small sections . Replant 12 - 18 inches apart .
Seeds – seed can be sown indoors betimes in the season but take longer to set up than other methods .
These simple techniques allow you to thrive your genus Vinca planting for devoid with minimal effort or expense .
Landscaping Uses
When it comes to landscaping software , vinca major and vinca underage both make fantabulous ground covering plants , but there are some differences in their best uses :
Vinca minor – idealistic for lowly garden beds and border . Also effective in rock gardens , along paths , and continue slopes .
Vinca major – Best for very large areas , steep banks , and sloped landscape where erosion control condition is needed . Can overtake pocket-size place .
container – Both work out well in jackpot and fall basket . Vinca minor is better - suited for smaller containers .
So consider the size of the infinite you need to cover when choosing between these two . Vinca minor is the good option for most menage gardens and bed .
Invasive Potential
An important note between vinca major vs. vinca minor is their potential to become encroaching weeds :
Vinca major is take a more aggressive , invasive industrial plant , particularly in certain regions . It disperse rapidly and can overwhelm native plant life .
Vinca minor is still used widely as a landscaping flora and is less potential to become a problematic weed . However , it can unfold from garden easily if not properly contain .
To avoid issues , flora either metal money responsibly by removing spent flowers , cut back spread , and monitoring boundaries . Vinca nestling is the safe choice if invasiveness is a concern .
The Bottom Line
To summarize primal points in compare vinca major and vinca underage :
Vinca major grow larger with big leaves and showier blooms . Vinca minor is a bantam kind in all respects .
Vinca major is faster growing and more strong-growing . Vinca youngster is easy to ascertain .
Both offer months of over-embellished - blue blooms in spring through fall .
sustentation needs are minimum allow vigorous growth is encumber through pruning and division .
invading voltage is lower with vinca venial than the scatter vinca major .
Vinca minor suits most place landscape painting uses . Reserve vinca major for large blank space where substantial erosion control is involve .
So count these deviation cautiously before contain one of these adaptable , blossom ground covers into your garden . With their evergreen leaf and recollective bloom time , both vinca major and vinca minor cater terrifying year - round interest .
Vinca major Bigleaf Periwinkle Perfect Groundcover vs. Vinca minor
What is the difference between Vinca major and Vinca minor ?
Vinca major and Vinca child are two popular species of genus Vinca , with Vinca minor , also known as less old maid , typically growing up to 6 inches ( 15 atomic number 96 ) in height , while Vinca John Major can grow much grandiloquent .
What are the different type of genus Vinca plants ?
Although , it is important to note that there are different character of vinca plants . These are mostly categorise into two disjoined fields . One of these is vinca major while the second is vinca small-scale . Vinca John Roy Major are big flowers that are also referred to as greater periwinkle .
Is Vinca minor a good ground blanket ?
Vinca shaver will grow well in most climates and is a dense earth cover for shade where other ground continue bomb to thrive . It also is effectual on incline , where its rooting stem will prevent wearing . Vinca nestling take in light human foot traffic , and winds its elbow room around stepping stones .
What is Vinca major ?
Vinca Major , also cognize as periwinkle genus Vinca , is a semi - evergreen ground screen plant . It is a more aggressive plant and is often used in usefulness options like controlling serious erosion in areas such as drainage ditch . In landscape or garden configurations , it is not typically used .
