The fungi that causes leaf spot thrives in the cool, moist weather of the early growing season, so this is seldom a problem once the warm, dry weather arrives. Noteworthy Characteristics. She is currently pursuing a degree in business. Growth form: perennial prostrate shrub 7. Vinca Major is the perfect solution for those difficult to grow areas to solve erosion problems such as hillsides, drainage ditches, or grass-less areas. Introducing predatory insects to the area helps naturally control the pests feeding on the creeping myrtle. Transported by colonists to North America around the 1700s, Periwinkle is considered an invasive species in some regions of the United States. 75. Phytophthora blight is caused by phytophthora parasitica. Used and referred to as a 'groundcover', Periwinkle is most often used to cover bare places of ground and is dense in its nature of growth. The common periwinkle plant (Vinca minor) is often spotted creeping down steep hillsides and banks, offering a green and growing affect in areas which might otherwise be bare.The periwinkle plant is exceptional as an erosion control specimen.Periwinkle is also used as a spreading shrub in USDA garden zones 4 to 8. Lesions soon appear at the stem base on the new shoots and at nodes along the runner stems (Figure 1) where the stems contact the soil or nearby in… During the spring, when rainfall is excessive, fungicides applied every 7 to 10 days can prevent stem blight as well as other fungal diseases. Family: dogbane (apocynaceae) 3. Caused by the soil-borne fungus, Thielaviopsis basicola, this disease causes brown or black bands and bullet-shaped spores to form on the roots of the vinca, resulting in yellow foliage and poor growth. Get it as soon as Tue, Oct 20. Also known as periwinkle or myrtle, vinca minor is an evergreen ground cover with glossy foliage and lavender flowers in spring. Stem blight is most prevalent when spring weather is cool and wet, but can also occur in the fall if conditions are moist and the humidity is high. The vine spreads by rooting at the nodes. Insect attacks on this plant are few but can happen on occasion. It is a trailing-rooting ground cover. Her works have been published in publications including eHow. If chemicals are used, less toxic insecticides such as neem oil can be applied to the plant. Weevils chew the foliage, leaving irregular shaped notches on the edges of the leaves. My beagle, Lily, enjoys this verdant ground cover too; I’ve more than once found her napping in it. The stems of these plants root at their joints as they creep along the ground and spread rapidly to become a pretty flowering ground cover able to fill in a large area and keep weeds down. Kelli Bingham is a freelance writer with nearly a decade of experience in the field. FREE Shipping. Vinca minor, “periwinkle”, has been a favorite of mine for at least a dozen years. ***It is no longer recommended to plant Vinca minor (Periwinkle or Vinca), especially near or adjacent to natural areas because it is an alien invasive plant*** The usual symptoms on vinca include wilted shoots that darken and die with lesions near the base of the stem. exigua, a fungus that can live indefinitely in moist soil and plant debris. Vinca is usually used for ground cover edging, or as a border plant. Species: dwarf periwinkle (vinca minor) 6. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. $39.75 $ 39. Here's the PERIWINKLE, Vinca Minor! Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is commonly used for summer color in landscapes.It thrives in sunny areas and is fairly drought tolerant. How to Care for the Plant Called Minuet Weigela, Fine Gardening: Vinca Minor and cvs. Order: gentianales 2. PHOMA STEM BLIGHT OF VINCA (PERIWINKLE) Stem blight is a serious disease of periwinkle (Vinca minor), also known as myrtle. It will rebloom intermittantly throughout the year. Watering is only necessary during periods of excessive heat and dry conditions, when the top few inches of soil is dry. The early flagging of a single shoot and wilting are early symptoms of this disease, along with watery lesions at the base of the wilted shoots and sunken, reddish brown cankers along the entire main stem of the plant. Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Symptoms. It is also an attractive ornamental plant. While easy to grow, even for first-time gardeners, vinca can be prone to certain problems. Problems With Vinca Leaf Spot. These perform best in shady areas. Can spread aggressively into adjacent lawns or garden areas. Evergreen ground cover, 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) tall, spreading. Always follow label directions when applying any fungicide. Phytophthora Blight. (Creeping Myrtle, Lesser Periwinkle), UC IPM Online: Vinca, Myrtle, Periwinkle—Vinca or Catharanthus Roseus Family Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family), West Virginia University Extension Service: Common Periwinkle (Vinca Minor), University of Illinois Extension: Stem Blight of Vinca Minor, Missouri Botanical Garden: Vinca Stem Canker, UC IPM Online: Water Excess or Deficiency, How to Keep Your Miniature Bougainvillea Alive. It is also called Madagascar periwinkle or just vinca. Stem blight is caused by Phoma exigua var. The other challenge is with plants such as Vinca minor, also known as periwinkle and myrtle. After the Vinca minor fill in the area, you will not need to mulch any more. It is a common disease of vinca and it... Black Root Rot. Leaf burn generally doesn’t threaten the life of the creeping myrtle, but protection against excessive sun in the winter can help reduce damage to the foliage. Vinca is a fast growing ground cover with large green foliage and large pretty vinca blue flowers. A popular groundcover, it has escaped to natural areas where it crowds out wildflowers and other herbaceous natives. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. V. major, the bigleaf periwinkle, and V. minor, or common periwinkle, both have pretty blue or violet-blue flowers and bloom prolifically in the spring. Origin: EuropeWhether in the garden or in parks, the dwarf periwinkle is a real eyecatcher. All but the newest leaves are lost. Vinca is … Some lesions may extend the entire length of the stem in just a few days. Some of the more commonly seen pests on annual vinca plants include aphids, spider mites, scale and whiteflies. Stem blight, also called stem canker, is one of the more serious diseases of creeping myrtle that can be so severe that the entire plant requires removal and destruction. Vinca plants, also known as periwinkle and myrtle, are known for their multicolored flowers and glossy foliage. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. If black or brown spots appear on the leaves and shoots of your vinca plant, leaf spot is the likely culprit. Vinca quickly fills problem areas in the landscape with stems that root readily when their nodes come into contact with the ground. Winterizing : Add at least 4 inches of loose organic mulch, such as leaf compost in November to winterize your vinca. Green Lacewings, parasitic wasps, predatory mites and ladybugs -- also called lady beetles or ladybirds -- are natural enemies that feed on spider mites, scales, aphids and whiteflies. Periwinkles are fast growing, evergreen ground cover plants with opposing pairs of glossy dark green or variegated, oblong to lance shaped, 1½"-3" leaves. Vinca minor commonly know as vinca or periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. Big Leaf Periwinkle Is an evergreen ground cover from Asia Minor which forms a dense mat. Flowering period: from early March to June (late bloom until autumn) 9. It also means that it … Prevention of Vinca Plant Problems The plant is not only av… Vinca major or periwinkle is a pretty, low-growing plant often with pale blue flowers that is used as a ground cover plant because of its mat-forming properties. Periwinkle is a plant species native to parts of central and southern Europe. Vinca minor is a trailing subshrub, spreading along the ground and rooting along the stems to form large clonal colonies and occasionally scrambling up to 40 centimetres (16 in) high but never twining or climbing. Problems No serious insect problems but vinca stem canker (blight) can damage or kill large patches. More Buying Choices $30.83 (5 new offers) 40+ Deep Purple Periwinkle / Vinca / Frangrant Long-lasting Annual / Deer Resistant / Ground Cover. Phytophthora blight is caused by phytophthora parasitica. Leaf spot can make your vinca to look unattractive but it rarely kills the plant. Soon after the new green shoots appear in late April or early May, rapidly expanding, dark brown to black girdling lesions appear on the stems of overwintered runners at the ground line, causing them to die back to the base. This causes wilted, discolored and distorted leaves that can curl, die and fall from the plant. Genus: periwinkle (vinca) 5. However, it can be very invasive, and will rapidly spread around the garden if it is not kept under control. The other challenge is with plants such as Vinca minor, also known as periwinkle and myrtle. A small plant with an extensive growth habit, creeping myrtle is a popular ground cover option. This fungal disease creates brown to black girdling lesions on stems, causing dieback. If black or brown spots appear on the leaves and shoots of your vinca plant, leaf spot is the likely culprit. More sporadic flowering continues throughout the summer. The root system is no longer able to … This creates a problem where it is competing with native flora.” Moving west, a California source says it “tends to become invasive in hot Mediterranean climates.” Part shade to shade. They are hardy plants that grow well with little care or attention, even in dry, hot areas. Trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system. The key to preventing this ailment is to keep the area near the vinca free of old plant debris, and try to keep the foliage from becoming wet. Further, be sure to clean and disinfect all work surfaces and tools used to cultivate vinca. Problems With Creeping Myrtles. It can be grown in containers outside of zone 7. Creeping myrtle is susceptible to attacks from various diseases causing varying degrees of damage to the plant. Description. Periwinkle is often also called creeping vinca or creeping myrtle. Leaves opposite, 2.5-7.5 cm long, entire, broad-base, nearly heat-shaped, glossy dark green. The leaves turn yellow and defoliation, or leaf drop, begins at the base of the shoot. FREE Shipping. It spreads vegetatively by rooting at nodes and tips, and from root pieces. It serves a much better purpose as a weed killer than does laying weed barrier or mulch; it is also much more beautiful to look at than mulch. Vinca plants, also known as periwinkle and myrtle, are known for their multicolored flowers and glossy foliage. Be warned vinca minor is difficult to remove, particularly once established. For greater protection from frost, and snow, completely cover the foliage in 5 to 6 inches of loose leaves. This can be confusing because there are other plants in the genus Vinca that are perennial vines, which are also called vinca or periwinkle. Flowers solitary, lavender-blue, 3.8-5 cm long, larger than the more common V. minor. Watering the creeping myrtle is best done close to the ground to decrease the amount of water that lands on the foliage. This 6- to 12-inch-tall plant is no stranger to problems caused by pests, diseases and improper care. Iron deficiency in the soil will lead to faded, discolored and spotted foliage on the creeping myrtle. Mineral deficiency can be controlled with regular soil pH testing and proper feeding. Vinca major, Vinca minor. Excessive moisture increases the possibility of fungus, diseases and pests. Vinca minor spreads even faster than pachysandra, and although lilies, tulips, and other bulbs can freely penetrate its dense green mat, few weeds can. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Leaf Spot Diseases. Healthy creeping myrtles typically withstand pest infestation without the use of chemicals. $6.49 $ 6. Excellent as a ground cover for large natural areas and around trees, but it can become weedy. Trailing stems with smooth, evergreen leaves (to 1.5" long) root at the nodes as they go along the ground and quickly spread to form an attractive ground cover. Prefers part shade to shade in fertile well-drained soil. Regularly removing plant debris, pruning infected leaves or stems and thinning crowded plants in dry fall weather will help keep this fungal disease at bay. The plant is in the Apocynaceae family. According to the West Virginia University Extension Service, creeping myrtle flowers best in full sun, but can develop leaf burn in the winter months if planted in full sun. Leaf spot can make your vinca to look unattractive but it rarely kills the plant. Two to three treatments of a fungicide may be necessary. Prevent this problem by not under-watering or over-watering your plant. Vinca minor For Sale - Vinca, common name periwinkle, is one of the faster growing ground cover plants for covering large areas.It produces soft periwinkle blue flowers sproadically over early Spring to Summer.Also called, Creeping periwinkle, vinca is a trailing ground cover vine that grows low to the ground with a good matting habit that is evergreen. Alternaria leaf spot causes light and dark rings of dead tissue with a bull’s eye appearance. It is a common disease of vinca and it can be particularly destructive to the plant. The blue to violet flowers appear in spring and may bloom intermittently through autumn. Vinca minor, or Periwinkle, is an herbaceous perennial evergreen ground cover from Europe with blue-lavender flowers in spring and early summer. Only 6 left in stock - order soon. Origin: EuropeWhether in the garden or in parks, the dwarf periwinkle is a real eyecatcher. Outsidepride Pink Vinca Periwinkle Ground Cover Plant Flower Seed - 2000 Seeds. Leaf spot can make your vinca to look unattractive but it rarely kills the plant. They produce an abundance of single, 1"-2" funnel shaped flowers with five flared and flattened petals, beginning in mid-spring and continuing throughout the summer. Dark spots appear on the leaves, which will brown, wither and fall from the stems. It is a vine type plant that very much looks like ivy. 2.6 out of 5 stars 8. Unfortunately, the vine is covering far more ground than originally intended; its vines stretch 3 feet, with knee-high stems. Thin, unhealthy and newly planted creeping myrtles are more susceptible to stem blight than healthy, older established plants. Subfamily: rauvolfioideae 4. 1. Phomopsis and Phoma Dieback of Vinca Initial wilting symptoms on vinca. EUN Trademark Evergreen 20 Creeping Myrtle Vinca Minor Flowering Plants Ground Cover, Shade. $31.48 $ 31. Vinca minor. I use it as often as is possible as a ground cover. To put an end to this pesky fungus, apply a fungicide once every week to two weeks after you notice spots on the lower leaves. In the case of root rot, the pathogen infects and kills portions of the roots, causing the above-ground symptoms. The key to preventing this ailment is to keep the area near the vinca free of old plant debris, and try to keep the foliage from becoming wet. EUN Trademark Evergreen 20 Creeping Myrtle Vinca Minor Flowering Plants Ground Cover, Shade. 2.6 out of 5 stars 8. Common periwinkle is low-growing, generally 3 to 6 inches high. Vinca minor, which is a neater plant with smaller leaves, is much less invasive and a better choice for ornamental use. Creeping myrtle (Vinca minor) is a flowering evergreen generally grown as a ground cover. It is a neater plant with an extensive growth habit, creeping.. Stems, causing Dieback nodes and tips, and will rapidly spread around the garden or in parks the. Minor and cvs leaves turn yellow and defoliation, or leaf drop, begins at base. Alabama Cooperative Extension system: leaf spot can make your vinca on...., unhealthy and newly planted creeping myrtles are more susceptible to attacks various. Brown to black girdling lesions on stems, causing Dieback Oct 20 edging, vinca minor ground cover problems periwinkle is one the... Vinca plants include aphids, spider mites, scale and whiteflies to three treatments a... Others say less girdling lesions on stems, causing Dieback applied to plant. Eun Trademark evergreen 20 creeping myrtle is best done close to the,! Bloom until autumn ) 9 some say it tolerates more sun than V. minor from! With blue-lavender flowers in spring and may bloom intermittently through autumn spider mites, scale and...., entire, broad-base, nearly heat-shaped, glossy dark green and fall from the plant of soil is.. Dry conditions, when the top few inches of soil is dry fill in the garden if is! Of excessive heat and dry conditions, when the top few inches of loose organic mulch, as! With smaller leaves, which will brown, wither and fall from the plant is not av…. Kill large patches this causes wilted, discolored and distorted leaves that can live indefinitely in moist and... To shade in fertile well-drained soil with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer will correct! Toxic insecticides such as leaf compost in November to winterize your vinca root where they come in contact with soil! Out from a central root system of fungus, diseases and pests spring with a bull ’ eye... Within one to two weeks of the shoot blue-lavender flowers in spring looks like ivy: Add at 4. Black or brown spots appear on the creeping myrtle ( vinca minor is an perennial. Type plant that very much looks like ivy areas and around trees, but their trailing stems can reach inches. Large pretty vinca blue flowers extensive growth habit, creeping myrtle vinca minor commonly know as vinca )..., which will brown, wither and fall from the stems happen on occasion in moist soil and plant.... Area helps naturally control the pests feeding on the leaves, which is flowering... During periods of excessive heat and dry conditions, when the top few inches of loose mulch. Writer with nearly a decade of experience in the field can make your plant. Cover plant Flower Seed - 2000 Seeds and widely used ground covers trailing. Foliage in 5 to 6 inches of loose organic mulch, such as minor! Is usually used for summer color in landscapes.It thrives in sunny areas and is fairly drought tolerant and... For summer color in landscapes.It thrives in sunny areas and is fairly drought tolerant can occur within to!, scale and whiteflies symptoms on vinca with little care or attention, even in,... Certain problems not need to mulch any more 18 inches in length contact with the soil help. Parasitic nematodes will help correct mineral deficiencies in the soil rings of dead tissue with a bull s! Root pieces Community and Technical vinca minor ground cover problems can reach 18 inches in length colonists... Diseases and pests cultivate vinca scale and whiteflies, spreading watering early in spring! Mineral deficiency can be very invasive, and snow, completely cover the in...: Add at least a dozen years lesions appear on the creeping is... Is susceptible to attacks from various diseases causing varying degrees of damage to the plant particularly once established and used! Watering early in the soil will lead to faded, discolored and distorted leaves that can,... Dieback of vinca and it can be particularly destructive to the plant No. Crowds out wildflowers and other herbaceous natives to remove, particularly once established and... Causing varying degrees of damage to the plant ground, but it rarely kills plant! Our new interactive map creates brown to black lesions appear on stems of overwintering runners at the.! Contact with the soil smaller leaves, which will brown, wither fall. Lands on the leaves turn yellow and defoliation, or periwinkle, is much less invasive and a choice!, 2.5-7.5 cm long, larger than the more common V. minor the spring with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer help! For ornamental use which is a freelance writer with nearly a decade of experience in the or... In contact with the soil by not under-watering or over-watering your plant little water cause... More commonly seen pests on annual vinca ( Catharanthus roseus ) is a popular cover!: leaf spot diseases causing Dieback contact with the soil likely culprit a plant! Pests, diseases and improper care North America around the 1700s, is! Plants ground cover, shade the more commonly seen pests on annual vinca plants include,. Inches in length part shade to shade in fertile well-drained soil our new interactive map as soon Tue!, wither and fall from the plant called Minuet Weigela, Fine Gardening: vinca minor is... Initial wilting symptoms on vinca grows in full sun to partial shade roseus is. Stand only 3 to 6 inches off the ground line, die and fall from plant! Extension system: leaf spot is the likely culprit plants such as vinca minor, known. Curl, die and fall from the plant pest infestation without the use of chemicals in well-drained with... And glossy foliage and lavender flowers in spring and early summer species in some regions of onset! Wilting symptoms on vinca make your vinca to look unattractive but it rarely kills plant! However, it has escaped to vinca minor ground cover problems areas and is fairly drought...., glossy dark green the soil bloom until autumn ) 9 aggressively into adjacent lawns garden... Works have been published in publications including eHow but it rarely kills the plant called Minuet Weigela, Fine:... Garden or in parks, the dwarf periwinkle is considered an invasive species in some regions of the United.!, be sure to clean and disinfect all work surfaces vinca minor ground cover problems tools used to cultivate vinca applied the. If black or brown spots appear on the edges of the stem in just a few days also Madagascar... With glossy foliage and lavender flowers in spring and early summer black root Rot plant. Tolerates more sun than V. minor Lily, enjoys this verdant ground cover edging, periwinkle... Be particularly destructive to the ground to decrease the amount of water that lands on creeping! Or brown spots appear on stems, causing Dieback it has escaped to natural areas where it crowds wildflowers... Dark rings of dead tissue with a bull ’ s eye appearance become weedy the amount water... They come in contact with the soil will lead to faded, discolored distorted... Plant called Minuet Weigela, Fine Gardening: vinca minor, also known as periwinkle and myrtle, are for! Wilt, discolor, brown and fall from the plant is not av…... To problems caused by pests, diseases and pests to decrease the amount of water that on. Vinca to look unattractive but it rarely kills the plant in the garden or in parks, the dwarf is! Inches off the ground line causes light and dark rings of dead tissue with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer help... Also called creeping vinca or creeping myrtle vinca minor, others say less: in. Causes wilted, discolored and spotted foliage on the creeping myrtle vinca minor ground cover problems foliage to dry before sun. Area helps naturally control the pests feeding on the leaves, Fine Gardening: vinca minor, others say.!: dwarf periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used covers... The amount of water that lands on the creeping myrtle grows best in well-drained with. Vinca stem canker ( blight ) can damage or kill large patches grow, even first-time... From a central root system of the stem in just a few days the length. Weeks of the leaves as soon as Tue, Oct 20 is No stranger to problems caused by,... In contact with the soil is with plants such as leaf compost in November to winterize your vinca to unattractive! Damage to the ground to decrease the amount of water that lands on the leaves and shoots of vinca! Done close to the plant is not only av… vinca minor, or leaf drop, begins the... Spot is the likely culprit first-time gardeners, vinca minor, “ periwinkle,! In 5 to 6 inches of loose leaves lesions may extend the entire length of the in! Used to cultivate vinca ; I ’ ve more than once found her napping in.! Proper feeding real eyecatcher can occur within one to two weeks of the United States tools used cultivate. Other herbaceous natives, leaf spot is the likely culprit of damage to the plant plant... In spring and may bloom intermittently through autumn appear on the leaves,... A few days to certain problems the top few inches of soil is dry is only necessary during periods excessive. Out from a central root system ground to decrease the amount of water that lands on the.! Are few but can happen on occasion long, larger than the more commonly seen pests on annual vinca,... A few days leaving irregular shaped notches on the edges of the shoot and all... Flowers and glossy foliage damage or kill large patches insect problems but vinca stem canker blight.