Periwinkle Plant Care

Tips for Growing Periwinkle

Create a garden design that is bursting with colors by installing periwinkles. Periwinkles are very popular among many homeowners and garden designers. I have seen these garden beauties in so many gardens making a beautiful impact. Besides their beautiful color what I love about the periwinkle is they are ground covers that can block out weeds, also this plant on reaching maturity can survive on very little water.

What causes the periwinkle to stand out in a garden design is to have a mixture of colors growing in masses, an effect like this is very pleasing to the eyes making a major impact. But how do we grow and care for these garden beauties that can really bring that much-needed flavor to your garden and landscape?

Here is what you need to know in order to grow periwinkle successfully.

Planting Location

When installing periwinkles it is best to plant in an area that gets full to partial sunlight. However, periwinkles perform at their best if installed in partial shade.

Soil Type

The soil type should be and acidic well-drained soil.

Watering Methods

This garden beauty once it reaches maturity can survive on very little water as discussed earlier. Once planted the soil should be allowed to dry out a bit between watering before giving your periwinkle another drink.

Fertilizing Methods

Periwinkles can be fertilized once a month during the growing season with triple 10 or other fertilizers that are formulated for these garden beauties. Before applying fertilizers read and follow the manufacturer’s label because the label is the law.

Garden insect pests of periwinkles

There are a few garden pests that will attack your periwinkle, these insect pests include.

• Aphids
• Whiteflies
• Scales
• Weevils
• Spider Mites
• Leafhoppers

If your periwinkles are attacked by these insect pests don’t despair, signs to look for are leaf discoloration, stunted growth, and wilting. This happens because these garden insect pests suck the sap from your plant. Spider mites, however, will cause stippling of the leaves. The adult weevil will feed on the leaves but the larvae feed on the roots which causes wilting. The use of horticulture oil or insecticidal soap will bring these insect pests under control. Before using chemicals read and follow the manufacturer’s label law because the label is the law.

Diseases of periwinkles

Periwinkles have their share of issues that must be dealt with. There is nothing like growing healthy plants then out of nowhere they show signs of not feeling so well don’t worry the good news is with the right knowledge you can fight back to keep your periwinkles growing healthy and vibrant.

These issues include.

• Canker and Dieback
• Phytophthora Aerial Blight
• Aster Yellows
• Pythium Root and Stem Rot

Canker and Dieback

This disease is encouraged by rainy weather or damp conditions. Signs of this disease are the shoot tips of periwinkles turning brown and then black and die back to the ground. The use of a copper fungicide on new growth during the growing season will bring this disease under control.

Phytophthora Aerial Blight

Periwinkles that is infected by this disease have leaves that take on a grey color, the leaves also shriveled.  Constant moisture or the rainy season encourage this disease. The use of mulches is believed to control aerial blight by acting as a barrier between soils that are infested and the plant itself.

Aster Yellow

This disease shows up as stunted plants that are chlorotic. Controlling the listed sucking insect with insecticidal soap will bring aster yellow under control.

Pythium root and stem rot

Periwinkles that are infected by this disease will die therefore avoid overwatering. Signs of pythium and stem rot appears as lesions on the roots and stems. A fungicide that is labeled for this disease will give results.

Ideas on where to install periwinkles

Here are a few ideas about where to install periwinkles.

• Periwinkles can be installed at the base in a circular pattern around the trunk of trees
• Can be installed at the front of your garden plant bed
• These plants look amazing along garden paths
• Periwinkles can be planted in clumps or colorful masses alongside walkways
• Looks great planted in color masses on either side of door entrances
• Can be installed in a container in an array of colors and the containers can be placed on your patio or porch

Garden window boxes

Garden window boxes can really give that wow. These window boxes are popular among many homeowners. When installing periwinkles in window boxes or when placing your window box ensure that the boxes are installed by windows that get full to partial sunlight. The soil should be well-drain soil. Water and fertilize as stated earlier and keep an eye out for garden insect pests.

Container grown periwinkles

When growing periwinkles in containers ensure that the containers have drain holes, the container should be placed in an area that gets full to partial sunlight. The soil, fertilizer, and watering methods should be as discussed above. Keep an eye out for garden insect pests as discussed earlier. Also, the containers should have saucers at the bottom.

The final word

Periwinkles are garden beauties that can work wonders and give that color POP so if you are thinking about adding colorful plants to your garden and landscape that are low maintenance then the periwinkle plant will give that flavor. So go ahead and plant some as you give your garden that tropical look which is so inviting.

About the author

Norman

+ posts

Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.

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