Content
- 1 Full description of the periwinkle plant
- 2 Periwinkle and catharanthus are the same thing, or not
- 3 Types and varieties of periwinkle
- 4 Application in landscape design
- 5 How can periwinkle be propagated
- 6 Planting periwinkle seeds for seedlings
- 7 Planting and caring for periwinkles in the ground
- 8 Diseases and pests
- 9 Conclusion
Planting and caring for periwinkle outdoors is simple and affordable even for novice gardeners. The flower belongs to the Kutrovy family. Translated from Latin, its name sounds like "twine", "curl". Decorative culture is capable of developing in harsh conditions, therefore it is a symbol of indomitable vitality. An ancient legend says that in early spring the periwinkle flower made a complaint to the goddess Flora. He lamented that because of the beautiful violet, no one pays attention to his flowers. The flora increased the size of the buds and significantly extended the flowering period of the periwinkle.
In some countries, people believe that the flowers of the grave grass above the front door to the house are able to resist witches.
Full description of the periwinkle plant
In its natural environment, the periwinkle flower lives in Eurasia and Africa. Culture delights in diversity. In total, 12 species grow in the wild, including semi-shrub, herbaceous, with erect and creeping stems, deciduous and evergreen.
Popularly, the periwinkle flower has many names: gentian, violet of the sorcerer, joy of the earth, eye of the devil, coffin grass, burial ground, witch's violet, grave grass, brilliant green
What does periwinkle look like
The Russian-language name of the plant comes from the word "barva", which is associated with colorful flowering. The different species differ in the following general characteristics of the periwinkle:
- the root system is horizontally located, up to 70 cm long;
- the size of the bush is up to 30 cm;
- branched shoots creeping along the ground;
- the color of the shoots is light green, green, with a red tint;
- leaves oppositely located on petioles, oval, leathery, glossy;
- leaf length from 3 cm to 5 cm;
- leaf width up to 2.5 cm;
- the color of the leaves is dark green, sometimes with cream, white, yellow, golden spots or border.
Shoots entwine the earth, and leaves shining in the sun and colorful flowers form a lush, multi-colored blanket
What do periwinkle flowers look like?
Single buds of periwinkle are located in deciduous axils. Various types and varieties are characterized by almost low-lying characteristics:
- flower diameter up to 3-5 cm;
- the color of the inflorescences is white, pink, blue, blue, violet, lilac, red, burgundy;
- flowers are single, with a funnel-shaped corolla, with a cylindrical tube;
- petals are bent at the ends, with insignificant separation;
- the pistil and stamens are barely visible, located in the center;
- the number of petals is five;
- active flowering time - early spring;
- full flowering period of individual buds - throughout the growing season.
Periwinkle fruits - sickle-shaped cylindrical leaflets with small gray seeds
Where and how periwinkle grows
The periwinkle flower is a beautiful ground cover plant that grows equally well in fertile and rocky soils. In the wild, creeping colorful islets of periwinkle can be found on the steppe slopes and forest edges, in the Crimean and Caucasian mountains.
Many thin stems rise above the ground, they grow in width up to 30 cm
Periwinkle winter hardiness
Some plant species are deciduous, others are evergreen. Both those and other varieties are distinguished by enviable frost resistance.
The fallen leaves of deciduous periwinkle species serve as a reliable natural shelter for shoots and root systems in the winter.
The foliage of the evergreen periwinkle flower retains a rich green, glossy color even under a cover of snow
Periwinkle and catharanthus are the same thing, or not
Until the middle of the twentieth century, pink catharanthus belonged to one of the varieties of periwinkle. Modern botanists are inclined to single out this evergreen dwarf shrub as a separate genus of Catharanthus.
Under natural conditions, the pink catharanthus lives in India, Transcaucasia, Kuban, Kazakhstan, Cuba and Madagascar
Types and varieties of periwinkle
The original ornamental plant has a long history. More than a dozen original species of periwinkle flowers - this is a large number of varieties, each of which differs in appearance, in the place of growth. The description and photo of the periwinkle flower allow you to create a general impression of the decorative culture.
The most common are two types of periwinkle flowers: large and small
Pubescent
The pubescent periwinkle flower (Vinca pubescens) grows in humid, warm regions. Scientists have discovered alkaloids in the biological mass of this plant, which are used to produce antihypertensive drugs (lowering blood pressure).
A distinctive feature of this species of plants is small flowers, up to 3 cm in diameter. The color range of pubescent periwinkle varies from purple to blue. The flowering period is May-June.
In the wild, the pubescent, or terry, periwinkle flower is found in the mountainous regions of the North Caucasus
Albo Captivity
The decorative variety of pubescent periwinkle Albo Plena attracts with a beautiful appearance of double inflorescences, in which the classic pentagonal shape is clearly outlined. The color of the inflorescences is white, with a greenish tint.
The white mountain variety is practically not cultivated, it can be found only in its natural habitat (North Caucasus)
Flore Plena
Ornamental periwinkle variety Flore Pleno refers to the pubescent species. The plant delights with the magical purity of a sky-blue hue.
Flore Plena forms dense thickets
Azurea Flore Captivity
Azurea Flore Pleno is a delicious terry periwinkle variety. The culture is characterized by long flowering blue buds.
Only one flower is formed on each branch of Flora Plena
Herbaceous periwinkle
The herb periwinkle flower (Vinca herbacea) is a deciduous species that is found in meadows and deciduous forests of Central Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and the Caucasus. Thin, strong shoots braid the earth in a solid carpet. The broad, dark green leaves create a soft, vibrant pillow. The height of the peduncles is up to 15 cm, the diameter of the flowers is up to 3 cm. The blossoming buds resemble a propeller in shape. Flowering lasts from May to the end of June. Tinctures from the ground parts of this culture are used to treat diabetes mellitus, stomach diseases, and skin problems.
The color of the buds is white, gray, blue-violet
Alba
The ornamental periwinkle Alba is a popular herbaceous variety. Refined snow-white petals adorn dense thickets of branches and foliage with their soft glow.
The snow-white ornamental variety Alba loses stems and foliage for the winter, and revives to life in early spring
Pink
The pink evergreen periwinkle flower (Vinkarosea) is a subshrub with the following characteristics:
- vertical arrangement of shoots;
- the height of the shoots is 40-60 cm;
- the color of the leaves is dark green;
- the color of the buds is various shades of pink.
Flowering lasts from spring to early autumn. The pink species is called catharanthus or cayenne jasmine.
Grape Cooler
The ornamental variety of pink periwinkle Grape Cooler is characterized by pink-red petals with a light core. The height of the bush is up to 60 cm.
Leathery, rounded Grape Cooler leaves have a light central vein
Peppermint Cooler
A beautiful decorative variety of periwinkle, Peppermint Cooler, has a strong stem. The leaves are oval, large, rich green. The color of the buds is pink, with a bright crimson "blot" inside.
Peppermint Cooler is a beautiful decorative variety
Ocellatus
Ocellatus is an evergreen ornamental plant. The culture is distinguished by a bright red center against the background of a delicate pink flower.
The lush flowering of the Okellatus variety adorns the garden for almost a month.
Small
A small flower of periwinkle (Vinca minor) spreads over the ground at a distance of more than 1 m, forms a lush and thick carpet. For the small size of the buds, this species is called "small".
Bowles Valerie
Bowles' Variety is the most popular among gardeners. The deep blue color of the periwinkle flowers stands out in contrast against the background of numerous green leaves.
Bowles Valerie's bright blue pentagonal stars bloom throughout the summer
Argenteo Variegata
Argenteo-variegata is an original decorative variety. Horticultural crops are noticeable by the luscious, light spots on the green foliage. The color of the buds is soft blue.
Argenteo Variegata flowers delight with heavenly beauty
Atropurpurea
Atropurpurea (Atropurpurea) is an ornamental variety of a small species. The color of the flowers is replete with purple colors. The core is clearly outlined with a whitish border.
Ground cover variety Atropurpurea - an unpretentious garden plant
Large
The large periwinkle flower (Vinca major) is a magnificent large-leaved species that blooms in spring and autumn. It is characterized by the following signs:
- length of sheet plates - up to 8 cm;
- shoot height - up to 25 cm;
- the color of the buds is predominantly blue.
Vinca Variegata
Vinca Variegata is beautiful throughout the growing season. Light spots located along the edging of the leaf plates serve as a natural decoration of the plant throughout the summer. The color of the buds is sky blue.
Vinca Variegata can be used to decorate borders
Vinca Maculata
The variety of large ornamental periwinkle Vinca Maculata is unpretentious and takes root well in various climatic conditions. The culture is distinguished by large light spots in the center of the leaves and a rich green border.
The beautiful sky-blue color of the buds of Vinka Maculata delights with the beauty of flowering
Vinca Reticulata
The large periwinkle of the garden variety Vinca Reticulata is a variegated ornamental crop. In the sun, lilac inflorescences amaze with the rich color of the petals.
The middle of the flowers of Vinca Reticulata has a lighter purple hue.
Variegated
Variegated clones of the periwinkle flower (Variegata) combine several decorative varieties with unusual foliage color. Borders and spots on the leaf blades range from white and yellow to various shades of gold.
Argenteovariegata
The variegated decorative variety Argenteovariegata has a bright yellow border around the edge of the leaves. Light blue numerous buds are the hallmark of the plant.
Variegated Argenteovariegata belongs to the small variety
Alba Variegata
Decorative Alba Variegata (Alba Variegata) is beautiful with a cream-colored border on green leaf plates. The flowers have a characteristic lilac shade.
The small variegated Alba Variegata is characterized by a beautiful crimson tube on the buds
Golden
The Golden variety delights with a golden yellow border on decorative foliage. The blue color of the buds is in perfect harmony with the golden sheen of the leaf plates.
Young leaf plates of the Golden variety have a solid yellow color
Ampelny
The ampelous type of witch's violet is an exquisite decorative culture, bred for decorating the local area, as well as for planting as a houseplant. All ampelous varieties are annuals, which are characterized by the following properties:
- small size of the bush - up to 20 cm in height;
- length of individual shoots - up to 70 cm;
- flower diameter - up to 5 cm;
- flower shades - white, pink, red, scarlet.
The flowering of ampelous varieties lasts all summer: from June to September.
Riviera
Riviera is an attractive decorative variety with multi-colored buds. The color scheme ranges from white to pale pink and lilac.
The flowering of the Riviera variety, planted in decorative pots or pots, decorates the garden all summer
Catharanthus Roseus
Catharanthus roseus (Catharanthus roseus) has a chic color range and abundant flowering. The height of the bushes is up to 20 cm, the diameter of the flowers is up to 5 cm.
Ampel decorative Katarantus Roseus is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and easy care
Cora Cascade Epricot
Ampel variety Cora Cascade Apricot is very beautiful. Peach petals are crowned with a crimson core.
In decorative plantings, the ampelous variety Cora Cascade Epricot retains an attractive appearance throughout the summer
Application in landscape design
For the decoration of the local area, designers successfully use decorative varieties of periwinkle. The main reasons for the popularity of culture:
- longevity, development and flowering in adverse environmental conditions;
- unpretentiousness, growth with minimal watering;
- ease of reproduction, seating;
- attractive appearance.
The decorative periwinkle flower looks beautiful on wide borders, to create the borders of paths, flower beds, rabatok
What flowers are better to plant with periwinkle
The miniature periwinkle flower perfectly "gets along" with a wide variety of "neighbors" in the beds, mixborders, flower beds, flower beds. Spring primroses are his constant companions:
- primrose;
- pansies;
- woodlands;
- forget-me-nots;
- tulips;
- daffodils.
The overwhelming majority of decorative periwinkle varieties cover the planting site with a living carpet
How can periwinkle be propagated
There are two main ways of breeding periwinkle:
- seminal;
- vegetative (dividing the bush, propagation by layering and cuttings).
The seed method is practiced in two main methods: seedling, sowing in open ground. Sowing in the ground in early spring or before winter is used very rarely, since flowering occurs only after 2 years. To improve germination, the soil is carefully dug up, moistened, grooves are formed according to the scheme 3 cm x 10 cm.The seeds are distributed in the groove, sprinkled with earth and moistened well.
More often than others, gardeners use the method of dividing the bush. It is carried out together with a part of the root. A periwinkle transplant is carried out in early autumn or spring.
Cuttings are propagation by young shoots, which are separated from the mother plant and buried in the ground along with the base (the leaf part must remain on the surface).
Decorative perennial varieties are propagated by layering. Shoots are pressed to the ground and covered with earth. After rooting, the layers are separated from the mother bush with a garden tool. Young plants are moved to a new location.
In the photo - planting and caring for periwinkle in various ways:
The periwinkle flower is an unpretentious culture that easily tolerates vegetative propagation
Planting periwinkle seeds for seedlings
It is best to start seed propagation of periwinkle in the spring.
In the photo - periwinkle seeds, which are two cylindrical leaflets without a tuft:
The seed material is quite large, so it is easy to plant it on seedlings one at a time.
As containers for growing seedlings, you can choose small boxes (plastic or wooden).
The soil mixture is prepared from sand, peat, vermiculite.
The landing pattern is 4-5 cm between the individual grooves.
When sowing, the seed is deepened into the soil by 1.5-2 cm, thoroughly moistened, covered with plastic wrap or glass to create a greenhouse effect.
Planting and caring for periwinkle at home from seeds can be done by anyone, even a novice gardener.
Purchased or self-collected seeds remain viable for about 2 years
How to care for periwinkle seedlings
Until the first shoots appear, the box with seedlings is kept in a dark place at temperatures up to + 25 ⁰С. After the seeds germinate, the container is moved to a sunny place at a temperature of + 20 ⁰С.
Ornamental crop seedlings need minimal care:
- periodic airing of crops under the film;
- moderate watering;
- removal of shelter after seed germination;
- feeding 2-3 weeks after germination;
- picking after the appearance of the first 4 sheets.
Growing a periwinkle flower begins with full care of the seedlings.
Before transplanting seedlings into open ground, young bushes are hardened for 2-3 weeks
Planting and caring for periwinkles in the ground
In open ground, the seedlings are moved after the establishment of stable warm weather in May. Planting and caring for periwinkle in the Urals and other northern regions is not distinguished by complicated agricultural technology.
The plant is unpretentious, therefore it easily takes root in various conditions with minimal care
Site selection and soil preparation
For a periwinkle flower, open, sunny areas, as well as a small shade, are suitable. The plant takes root well in a semi-dark place, under the crown of spreading trees, in the shade of buildings.
Places under large trees are characterized by a high level of humidity, so they are ideal.
Ground cover, ampelous, deciduous and evergreen varieties are undemanding to the composition of the soil. Before planting seedlings, it is recommended to fertilize sandy or loamy soil with humus, sand. Best of all, periwinkle develops in such soils:
- loamy;
- neutral;
- nutritious;
- loose.
The culture does not grow on swampy soil, since it does not tolerate waterlogging.
Branches of spreading trees will protect the delicate sprouts of the periwinkle flower grown from seedlings from the scorching sun's rays
Landing algorithm
The planting algorithm does not differ in complex agricultural technology:
- holes are formed on prepared beds at a distance of up to 20 cm from each other;
- the seedlings, together with a lump of earth, are carefully moved into the planting holes;
- the plants are pressed to the ground and moisturized well.
To move seedlings into open ground, choose a cloudy or rainy day.
Watering and feeding schedule
Excessive moisture is destructive for the periwinkle flower. In the first stages of growth, young bushes are irrigated 2-3 times a week. After final rooting, watering is reduced to once a week.
During the rainy summer, the plants do not need irrigation.
Plant feeding with organic and mineral fertilizers is carried out no more than once a month.
The periwinkle flower tolerates fertilization with infusion of humus well
Weeding and mulching
After each watering of ampel varieties, the soil should be loosened and mulch applied. The ground cover periwinkle practically does not need weeding, since weeds do not grow in dense thickets.
The ornamental culture itself requires periodic weeding, thinning, since the bushes grow very quickly and instantly braid the garden bed.
Without weeding, the periwinkle flower forms wild thickets, which in some cases look very original
Pruning
In the spring and autumn, the thickets are examined for the removal of dried branches, shoots, foliage. This allows you to keep the fresh, attractive, decorative appearance of the bushes.
After pruning the shoots, the bushes of the garden periwinkle grow quickly and rapidly
Wintering
Preparing for winter is a necessary measure for a large garden periwinkle. For regions with cold and snowless winters, the plant is covered with spruce branches.
Decorative varieties are more frost-resistant, so they do not need winter shelter
Diseases and pests
The periwinkle flower is an ornamental culture with strong natural immunity. In rare cases, plants can attack pathogens of fungal diseases:
- Rust - the main enemy. Fungal infection affects leaves and branches. The characteristic orange bloom is a sign of the disease. The affected bushes should be removed from the garden and burned.
For the treatment of rust at an early stage, fungicidal preparations are used.
- Aphid attacks the plantings of periwinkle. Plants are treated with soapy water, wormwood infusion.
With active damage to the ornamental culture of aphids, the bushes are sprayed with solutions of insecticides
Conclusion
Planting and caring for periwinkle outdoors involves simple measures that allow you to grow beautifully flowering ornamental shrubs. Trendy territory decorators use a beautiful creeping ground cover as the main element of landscape design. Growing actively, the flower covers the ground with a magnificent, voluminous green carpet.
