Maagdenpalm

Vinca minor

Engels: Periwinkle

groundcoverApocynaceae🇳🇱 InheemsWintergroen

Maagdenpalm (Vinca minor) is a native to the Netherlands, evergreen ground cover from the Apocynaceae family that grows up to 20cm tall. This plant thrives in partial shade to shade and requires low maintenance. Blooms in spring and late spring with blue, purple flowers and attracts bees.

Hoogte

10–20 cm

Breedte

60–150 cm

Zonligging

partial shade, full shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam, clay soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

spring, late spring

Bloemkleuren

blue, purple

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
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Care tips

Planting

Periwinkle thrives in partial or full shade, making it an excellent choice for difficult areas under trees or along north-facing borders where many other plants struggle. It tolerates a wide range of soil types but performs best in loam or clay soil that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. Before planting, clear the area thoroughly of perennial weeds—once established, periwinkle's dense mat makes weeding difficult. Plant periwinkle in March, April, May, September, or October, when the soil is workable and temperatures are moderate. Autumn planting is particularly successful, as it allows roots to establish before winter. Space plants 30 cm apart; they will spread steadily to form a continuous carpet, with individual plants eventually reaching 60–150 cm across. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, ensuring the crown sits at the same level it was growing in the pot. Firm the soil gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil and encourage root contact. For the first growing season, keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated, especially during dry spells. Periwinkle has moderate water needs and will establish more quickly with regular attention in its first year. Apply a 5 cm layer of organic mulch around the plants, keeping it clear of the stems, to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve the soil as it breaks down. Once the plants begin to spread and knit together, they will suppress most weeds themselves and require far less intervention.

Pruning

Periwinkle requires very little pruning, but a light trim in March keeps it tidy and encourages fresh, vigorous growth for the season ahead. This is particularly useful if the foliage has become tatty over winter or if the plants have spread beyond their intended boundaries. Although periwinkle is evergreen, older leaves can look tired or damaged by late winter, and a spring cut rejuvenates the whole mat. Use garden shears, a strimmer on a high setting, or even a lawnmower with the blades raised to about 5–8 cm to shear back the entire planting. Don't worry about cutting too hard; periwinkle is robust and will regrow quickly from the base. If you're working with a smaller area or want more control, hand shears work perfectly well. Remove the clippings to prevent them from smothering new growth and to reduce the risk of fungal issues in damp conditions. If your periwinkle is encroaching on paths, borders, or other plants, March is also the time to cut back the trailing stems. Simply snip them off at the desired boundary. You can also lift and divide clumps if they've become too dense or if you want to propagate new plants for other areas of the garden. Periwinkle roots easily from stem cuttings and divisions. Beyond this annual tidy-up, the only other task is removing spent flower stems after the spring and late spring blooms fade, though this is optional. Deadheading won't encourage further flowering but does keep the groundcover looking neat if that matters to you.

Maintenance

Once established, periwinkle is remarkably low-maintenance and tolerates neglect better than most groundcovers. Watering is rarely necessary except during prolonged dry spells in summer, particularly in the first year or two. Periwinkle has moderate water needs and copes well with typical rainfall in temperate climates. If the leaves start to wilt or look dull, give the planting a thorough soak rather than frequent light sprinkles. Feed periwinkle once a year in April with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser or a light dressing of well-rotted compost or blood, fish, and bone. Scatter it evenly over the foliage and water in if rain isn't forecast. Avoid overfeeding, which can promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers and make the plants more prone to disease. Periwinkle grows well in relatively poor soil, so a single spring feed is sufficient. As an evergreen hardy to zone 4a, periwinkle requires no special winter protection in our region. The foliage remains green throughout the year, providing valuable ground cover and weed suppression even in the coldest months. Top up mulch in autumn if the layer has thinned, but keep it away from the stems to allow air circulation. Periwinkle is generally pest- and disease-free, though it can occasionally suffer from rust or leaf spot in very damp, poorly ventilated conditions. Remove and bin affected leaves promptly. Slugs and snails rarely bother it. The main "problem" with periwinkle is its vigour—it can become invasive in small gardens, so site it carefully and be prepared to trim back spreading stems annually to keep it in check.