Rules for planting and caring for periwinkle in open ground

Belonging to the Cutraceae family, periwinkle is an evergreen perennial plant. The shrub is famous for its unpretentiousness to living conditions, therefore it has long been a symbol of vitality. Thanks to this feature, many magical legends are dedicated to the flower: it was believed that the branches of the plant are capable of identifying and expelling evil spirits. How to properly plant and care for periwinkle in the open ground so that the plant becomes the highlight of the garden?

General characteristics of the flower

Periwinkle is a shrub or subshrub with creeping or vertical shoots. The surface of the oval leaves is glossy, the color is deep green. The leaf blades of certain varieties are edged or covered with light beige spots. Single funnel-shaped flowers are purple, pink or white.

The effectiveness of the plant lies in its structure: bright flowers are formed at the end of vertically directed long peduncles. The flowering that begins in spring is extended and long-lasting. In place of wilted flowers, fruits are formed - a pair of cylindrical plates attached to each other.

Types and varieties

Biologists know about ten species of periwinkle, but only three of them have gained popularity among gardeners. Considering the large number of varieties, this is quite enough for everyone to choose a flower according to their taste and growing conditions.

Large periwinkle

A species with horizontally climbing and vertical shoots. The leaf blades are ovoid and large. The leaf length is often 9 centimeters. The blue or blue flower is divided into 5 petals, the transverse diameter of which is 5 centimeters. Depending on the place of growth, the leaf blades and flowers of the large species are narrow, and the shoots are pubescent.

It flowers in May-June. The plant's winter hardiness is good, but in those parts of the country where winter is not full of snow, periwinkle cannot do without a layer of insulation.

Periwinkle pink

Catharanthus pink or Madagascar periwinkle - a 50-centimeter-high shrub that arrived in our region from the island of Java. The shiny surface of the oval leaves is divided in the middle by a thick vein. Large flowers consisting of 5 petals are placed at the end of thin green shoots. The flowering period of pink periwinkle is 10 months.

Periwinkle

Ground cover flower with curly 60-centimeter shoots. The diameter of the leaves is 3-5 centimeters. Flowers are formed on 20-centimeter peduncles, shaped like funnels with a diameter of 2.5 centimeters. The small species blooms in May or June. The duration of the period is 30 days.

Periwinkle herbaceous

A flower with creeping shoots covered with elliptical glossy foliage. Single flowers placed on a 15-centimeter peduncle are blue-violet. Flowering begins at the end of May and lasts 27-30 days. The herbaceous variety is endowed with resistance to low temperatures, however, in regions with little snowy winters, it is better to cover the shoots with spruce branches.

Periwinkle ampelous

A perennial species intended for growing indoors. The height of the plant does not exceed 20, and the diameter of the flower is 4-5 centimeters. The ampelous variety is grown in apartments and gardens.

Kiff's periwinkle

A flower that was specially bred by specialists for cultivation at home. During the flowering period, the Kiffa variety is strewn with large flowers of bright pink color. It is rare to see a variety with burgundy flowers.

Periwinkle Variegata

Variegated perennial with creeping branches up to 80 centimeters long. Plant height is 30-40 centimeters. Variegated has thick, smooth-skinned, dark green leaves that are bordered by wide stripes. Purple-blue funnel-shaped flowers up to 4 centimeters in diameter.The frost resistance of the Variegata variety is high. Flowering lasts from May to June.

Periwinkle Atropurpurea

A compact subshrub covered with small leaves: their size does not exceed 3 centimeters. The length of shoots growing horizontally varies from 30 to 80 centimeters. Thanks to the rooting of stems, it can reproduce independently. The flowers are large, violet-purple. Atropurpurea prefers to grow in shaded or semi-shaded areas with well-drained soil.

Lesser periwinkle Plena

The ground cover variety differs from a number of other varieties in its double, lush blue flowers. The leaves are dark green, elongated. Curly shoots grow 30-80 centimeters in length over the course of a year and quickly envelop the surrounding area. Plen likes to grow in partial shade or shade and is tolerant of low temperatures.

Periwinkle white

Herbaceous evergreen plant with creeping, rooting stems. White, large flowers consist of 5 petals. Flowering period is May-June.

Specifics of growing a flower

Periwinkle is one of those plants that does not require any special care. All the flower needs is a little water and fertilizer. Thanks to this feature, both inexperienced gardeners and summer residents who come to the site once a month can successfully grow it.

Selecting a location

Depending on the requirements of the species, the shrub is planted in a place protected from northern winds, in light or full shade. Since excess moisture provokes the development of fungal diseases, groundwater should not lie close to the surface at the planting site.

How and when to sow seeds

Periwinkle is one of those plants that can be planted regardless of the time of year. Seed material is sown in early spring, before winter or on a rainy summer day.In a box with loose soil, make a groove and at a depth of 1 centimeter, lay out the seeds in it in increments of 1-2 centimeters. The box is placed in a dark place or covered with a piece of black polyethylene.

Planting process

Young plants are planted in separate holes, in increments of 35-40 centimeters. The roots are straightened and sprinkled with nutritious loose soil and lightly pressed down. Water the new flower with a moderate amount of water.

Further care for periwinkle

In order for the flower to be as magnificent as possible, the plant must be provided with conditions favorable for active growth. The condition of the bush is influenced by such factors.

Lighting

The plant needs a large amount of light only when it is young. Adult specimens prefer to grow in partial shade or shade. In the sun the bushes become liquid.

Temperature

The temperature in the room before emergence should be +23 C. As soon as the sprouts appear on the surface, the box is placed on the windowsill and the temperature is reduced to +20 C. Plants aged 2-3 years are comfortable at temperatures of +20, +24 C.

Humidity and watering

Periwinkle is not very demanding of moisture, so it grows well even with a minimal amount of watering. In the southern regions, where the sun's rays are especially active, the frequency of watering is slightly increased: the plant will be lush and, accordingly, beautiful.

Does periwinkle need replanting?

Most experienced gardeners believe that periwinkle can grow well in one place for many years. Replanting is necessary only when the shrub has taken over areas where other cultivated plants grow. In this case, the bush is carefully dug up and transferred to another place.

Trimming

To activate the tillering process, all stems of the plant are pinched. After the procedure, the bush becomes more compact and luxuriant. After the end of spring flowering, the periwinkle is trimmed, and cuttings are cut from healthy stems. Although autumn is the time for preparatory work, there is no need to prune an evergreen plant before winter.

The soil

The soil for planting must be loose, nutritious and drained. Acidic soils must be neutralized before planting. Before planting the plant, poor soil is fertilized with rotted manure or mullein solution.

Fertilizers

Complex mineral or organic fertilizers are used as a nutrient mixture to feed the flower. The most effective application is leaf humus or compost.

We fight pests and diseases

In conditions of high humidity, periwinkle is affected by powdery mildew and rust. Potent fungicides are used to combat diseases. To treat powdery mildew, the bush is sprayed with Topaz, Skor, Quadris, and for rust, Bordeaux mixture and Kuproxat are suitable.

Among insects, only aphids attack the flower. Treatment is carried out with Fufanon, Karbofos.

Breeding methods

Periwinkle propagates by seeds, cuttings and layering. Experts recommend that amateur gardeners use one of the vegetative methods to propagate flowers. Growing a flower from a seed is harder and takes much longer.

The cuttings are cut from the middle part of healthy mature shoots. The interval between planting material is 20-30 centimeters. Planting on the site is carried out in spring or late summer.

Evergreen species are propagated by dividing the bush. To do this, the shoot is pressed tightly to the ground in one place and secured with a metal pin or applied with pebbles.The next year, when normal roots have formed, the branch is cut off. If you use this method, the probability that reproduction will be successful will be almost one hundred percent.

Periwinkle in landscape design

The evergreen flower braids everything around with lush stems in the shortest possible time. The plant decorates borders and borders. Looks beautiful in mixborders and between trees. The green carpet is combined with hyacinths, scillas, lungworts, and forget-me-nots.

When growing a flower in a small garden, do not forget about correcting the direction and length of the stems. If you don't keep an eye on it, it can quickly weave in and overwhelm other small plants.

When to collect and how to store periwinkle seeds?

Collect seeds after the end of the flowering period. Depending on the type, seed procurement is carried out from the end of June to September. Ripe boxes are torn off from the shoots, opened and the planting material is poured onto a paper sheet.

It is recommended to store seeds in an envelope or bag placed in a dry, well-ventilated place. On the eve of sowing, they are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. However, since growing from seeds takes a long time, only enthusiasts should do it.

Periwinkle is a colorful flower, absolutely unpretentious to soils and growing conditions. The shrub looks great in any part of the garden: be it between trees, in a mixed border, on a border or in a flower bed with bulbous flowers. Thanks to its “independence”, the plant can be successfully grown by both amateur gardeners and busy summer residents.