If periwinkle captivates your attention and causes you to grow it in the garden, you’ve come to the right place. We expose the advantages of having this plant at home and, above all, the best recommendations for it to prosper.
The subtle aspect of the periwinkle makes it unimaginable how “warrior” this plant is. It is a clever vine to expand outdoors, although sometimes it is usually grown inside the house.
People with little experience in gardening find in this species an ally to learn about the subject, due to the few demands and the “mechanical” nature of their care.
There are those who consider it as a subshrub (herbacio-arbustivo) of high resistance and flowering. Looking ahead to spring, we take the opportunity to share a simple care manual that will help the prosperity of this plant.
Periwinkle is perfect for decorating gardens in spring
The periwinkle derives from the family Apocynaceae, typical of tropical climates; It does well in jungles, forests, and temperate regions, as noted by Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. The characteristics of the species make it look like a tapestry, because they come to spread over quite large surfaces, in rockeries and on slopes.
It sprouts flowers with 5 petals, whose colors vary according to the soil in which it is planted; the most popular are mauve or light blue vincas. You see them in all their splendor in spring and catch the eye thanks to the bushy foliage that composes a carpet intertwined by the stems. You often see it in parks and other green spaces, but it has become one of the favorites to complement home gardens, mainly because of the contrast with other flowers.
The leaves look like green ovals with some fibrous texture. This species also produces fruits, which consist of tiny follicles inside the specimen.
Vinca types for the garden
Some vincas are toxic, explains a publication from the Bulletin of the Institute of Giennenses Studies, due to the content of alkaloids with properties that require medical intervention. So it is appropriate to restrict the contact of children and pets with this plant.
There are 3 types of the species:
- Major: the Virtual Herbarium of the Western Mediterranean indicates that the Vinca major L or “maculata” flowers between March and June. It is the most frequent of all, with lilac flowers, a rustic touch and the ability to withstand dry environments. Because it has larger leaves, it limits the development of weeds.
- Minor: Waste Magazine He comments that this kind of periwinkle abounds on the edges of fields and forests; It demands shade and humidity, as well as a temperate climate. Its flowering begins in February and ends in May. In addition, they are exemplary to which they associate, among other benefits, astringent and healing qualities.
- Gertrude Jekyll: like its “sisters”, it is extensive growing, so it requires the same considerations. The flowers are white and owe their name to a 19th century English landscape painter.
Vinca Care Recommendations
The periwinkle adapts to all types of soil, as long as they preserve a touch of moisture. It’s not immune to pests, so it’s worth having a few remedies on hand. against aphids and fungi, as they are the most common conditions. Synthesizing the care, we now reveal a basic care guide.
condition the soil
In a pot or directly in the ground, it is necessary to drain the soil so that watering does not puddle. On the other hand, acid substrates containing peat, sand, earth and a little perlite are recommended. This, if you plant the periwinkle in a pot; Otherwise, the normal earth is enough.
Analyze the location
Although the plant thrives in all soils, it will always do best in an appropriate location. What does this imply? The next:
- Temperatures ranging from 18 °C to 25 °C, with minimums of 10 °C.
- Abundant natural light, unless it is summer, because in this season they ask for semi-shade.
- Low environmental humidity. In fact, in hot summers you can spray water on the leaves, but not on the flowers.
Use fertilizers or organic fertilizers
Although it is not a strict order to pay them, it is advisable to do so with the intention of promoting flowering. From the beginning of spring and throughout the summer, fertilize with banana peel tea. Organic fertilizers are suitable for a beautiful flowering.
water sparingly
It is advisable to water little or distance the frequency, unless you notice dry the substrate. In summer you could hydrate the plant every day, but during winter, at most, 1 weekly watering will be enough.
Prune after they bloom
When the flowering stage is over, you can prune the periwinkle, making sure that the new cocoons do not yet sprout. Pruning covers the elimination of diseased or withered leaves and flowers, as well as cleaning the soil, collecting the parts that detach from the plant.
A reason to grow periwinkle? The promising health effects
We have already glimpsed some curative characteristics attributed to the periwinkle. In this regard, the University of La Laguna shared a paper that highlights the therapeutic activity of the chemical components in a periwinkle: vinblastine and vincristine, a pair of indole alkaloids that reveal antitumor properties and benefits for circulation.
Likewise, the species is related to antidiarrheal and hypotensive remedies. Of course, the supply derived from this plant must strictly be approved and supervised by a doctor, since these are delicate substances for self-medication.
Finally, apart from the beauty of the periwinkle, a compelling reason to include it in the spring vegetation is that, by functioning as a cloak, it serves to cover “uninhabited” spaces and tree roots. Give originality to the garden with this plant.
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