Vinca or Periwinkle

     Vinca minor or periwinkle makes one of the best shades to heavy shade groundcovers, as it grows rapidly, has a pretty lavender blue (also available in white or purple) flowers, blossoming in April with very occasional flowers throughout the summer and fall.  Deer and rabbits avoid it, and it is evergreen. With dark green glossy leaves and low growth to 6” with rooting at leaf nodes, it is happy in dry and moist conditions. Does not do well in sun. Sometimes it is called creeping myrtle or dwarf periwinkle. There is a larger variety, Vinca major, with variegated leaves which is much less well mannered.  It has been used in wreath making and is an excellent erosion control plant due to its easy rooting at leaf nodes