We're offering you a Vinca minor Bowles variety Plants for £6.99, saving you up to 46% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £12.99 (correct as of 30.04.2026).

Vinca minor 'Bowles's Variety' – Botanical Beauty for Effortless Ground Cover

Vinca minor, commonly known as Periwinkle, is a hardy evergreen perennial from the Apocynaceae family. The 'Bowles's Variety' is celebrated for its vigorous growth and ability to create a lush green carpet across garden beds, borders, and shaded corners.

• Flowering: Expect vibrant violet-blue flowers from late spring, with sporadic blooms continuing through summer. These star-shaped flowers add colour when most plants are past their prime.
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves remain attractive throughout the year, providing year-round structure and visual interest.
• Growth Habit: This mat-forming perennial spreads quickly but stays low (typically up to 10-15cm tall), making it ideal for suppressing weeds and filling tricky spaces.

Growing Guide & Care Instructions

• Light: Grows well in full sun to full shade—perfect for under trees or in difficult spots.
• Soil: Prefers moist but well-drained soil; tolerates a range of soil types and pH levels (neutral to slightly alkaline).
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in UK gardens (RHS H6); suitable for USDA zones 4–9.
• Irrigation: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
• Pruning: Trim after flowering or in early spring to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.

Variety Highlights & Garden Uses

• 'Bowles's Variety' is renowned for its robust performance and abundant flowering compared to standard Vinca minor types.
• Excellent for ground cover beneath shrubs, on banks, slopes, or shady borders where grass struggles to grow.
• Makes an attractive companion to spring bulbs (e.g., snowdrops, daffodils) and woodland perennials such as ferns or hostas.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant Vinca minor?
  The best time to plant is autumn or early spring when the soil is workable and moist.
• How fast does 'Bowles's Variety' spread?
  This variety establishes quickly—expect noticeable spread within the first growing season and full coverage within two years under optimal conditions.
• Does it need much maintenance?
  No—just occasional trimming after flowering or as needed to keep growth in check. Once established, it requires little attention.