Blue periwinkle (Vinca major, Sp. Pl.: 209 (1753))

Family: Apocynaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 209 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vinca

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: S. Europe to Caucasus

Description

Blue periwinkle, scientifically known as Vinca major, is a vigorous evergreen perennial renowned for its attractive glossy foliage and vibrant flowers. This plant belongs to the Apocynaceae family and was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Indigenous to Southern Europe and extending to the Caucasus region, Vinca major thrives in a variety of climates and is adaptable to different soil types, making it a versatile addition to gardens and landscapes. Blue periwinkle forms sprawling mats of foliage, providing excellent ground cover that can suppress weed growth effectively.

The plant features broad, ovate leaves with a rich green hue, complementing its beautiful blue to violet flowers that bloom generously in spring and intermittently throughout the year. These five-petaled flowers exhibit a radial symmetry and a conspicuous central corona, attracting a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Blue periwinkle is valued for its low-maintenance nature. It performs well in both sun and shade, though it prefers partial to full shade environments where it can establish dense mats. However, due to its vigorous growth habit, it can become invasive in some regions if not managed properly.

Gardeners often use Vinca major as a ground cover for erosion control on slopes, under trees where lawn grass struggles, and in shaded garden areas. While generally resistant to pests and diseases, it is always advisable to monitor its spread to prevent it from overpowering other plants in the vicinity.

Overall, Blue periwinkle’s charm and resilience make it a popular choice for a wide range of horticultural applications, offering both beauty and practicality.

Common Names

Eng: bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle, blue periwinkle, large periwinkle, periwinkle, big-leaved periwinkle, large-leaved periwinkle
Fra: grande pervenche
Deu: grosses immergruen, großes immergrün
Dan: stor singrøn
Spa: congossa, pervinca
Por: congossa-maior, pervinca-maior
Lav: liel
Hun: nagy meténg
Swe: stor vintergröna
Ell: vinga
Nld: grote maagdenpalm
Cym: erllysg, erllysg fwyaf, gwanwdon, gwanwdon mwyaf, llawrig, llowrig, perfagl fawr, perfagl fwyaf, perfagl mwyaf, ysgarllys
En: Blue periwinkle, Greater periwinkle, Large periwinkle, Bigleaf periwinkle, Flower of Death, Sorcerer’s Violet, Periwinkle, Big-leaved periwinkle, Large-leaved periwinkle, Big periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle [plant]
Hy: Կուսածաղիկ բարձր
Az: Böyük qıfotu
Eu: Inkonte-belar handi
Bg: Голяма винка
Ca: Vinca ciliada
Zh: Man chang chun hua, 蔓长春花
Cs: Barvínek větší
Da: Stor singrøn
Nl: Grote maagdenpalm
Fi: Isotalvio
Fr: Grande pervenche, Pervenche majeure
De: Großes Immergrün, Grosses Immergruen, Singrün
El: Vinga
He: וינקה גדולה
Hu: Nagy meténg
It: Pervinca maggiore
Lv: Liel
Ml: വിൻക മേജർ
No: Storgravmyrt
Fa: پیچ تلگرافی (گیاه)
Pt: Vinca, Pervinca-maior, Congossa-maior
Pt-br: Vinca-pendente, Pervinca-maior
Ru: Барвинок большой
Sk: Zimozeleň väčšia, Zimozeleň menšia
Es: Veliki zimzelen, Congossa, Pervinca, Hierba doncella, Vinca mayor
Sv: Stor vintergröna
Zh-tw: 蔓長春花
Zh-hant: 蔓長春花
Uk: Барвінок великий
Wa: Grande vintche
Cy: Perfagl fawr, Erllysg, Erllysg Fwyaf, Gwanwdon, Gwanwdon Mwyaf, Llawrig, Llowrig, Perfagl Fwyaf, Perfagl Mwyaf, Ysgarllys

Synonyms

• Vinca grandiflora (Salisb.)
• Pervinca major ((L.) Garsault)
• Vinca minor subsp. major ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by David Richarte (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 31, 2020 by nacho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2022 by Borgess Lais (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Jenn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by rafaela marques (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Jenn (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by Wizard Plant (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by nacho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by rafaela marques (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Frédérique Plaquin (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Mar 13, 2022 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2020 by Ramino Gropoil (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by Irene Tonani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Jeff B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by troglo (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by latuske manfred (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Régis Lecarpentier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by Manuel Santos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2022 by Acosta García Isabel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Kremer Rita (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by Raphaëlle joubert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Jean-Noel Fourtier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2020 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2019 by Paolo Per (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3169708)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:82697-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vinca major L.)

Specifications

Growth