Is Periwinkle a Small, White Spring Flower?

Madagascar Periwinkle

• Native to the country from which it takes its name, Madagascar periwinkle is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Therefore, it is usually grown as an annual in most American gardens. Its flowers range from white to pink to mauve to purple, usually with darker throats. The white flowers usually have a pale pink tinge with darker centers in colors such as pink, red or yellow. Madagascar periwinkle usually produces small blossoms beginning in June and lasting until the first frost. In warmer areas, however, it may bloom sooner, meaning that it has the potential to produce small, white spring flowers.

Greater Periwinkle

• Native to parts of Asia and Europe, greater periwinkle is a perennial hardy to USDA zones 7 through 9. Its flowers are generally violet-blue, though they can be purer shades of both blue and purple. They are often compared to phlox (Phlox spp.), whose hardiness zones depend on the species. Generally blooming the first time in April or May, these small 1 1/2-inch blooms often appear sporadically throughout the growing season.

Lesser Periwinkle

• Similar to greater periwinkle in appearance, lesser periwinkle has both smaller leaves and smaller flowers -- usually only about an inch across and also similar to phlox. Though they are usually varying shades of lavender to lavender-blue, some are light enough to look almost white. Only one, the cultivar "Alba," is true white. Since they bloom in spring, they are capable of having small, white spring flowers.

Garden Uses

• All types of periwinkle work well as ground covers. While the true vincas tend to trail, Madagascar periwinkle has a mounding habit. Greater periwinkle and Madagascar periwinkle usually grow to between 6 and 18 inches, while lesser periwinkle usually tops out at 6 inches. Where hardy, greater and lesser periwinkle are effective for erosion control and are excellent additions to hanging baskets or containers where they can spill over. Madagascar periwinkle performs well as a border or container plant.