Vinca minor ‘Blue and Gold’

Description

Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Vinca minor ‘Blue and Gold’
Common Name: Lesser Periwinkle ‘Blue and Gold’
Plant Type: Evergreen ground cover / trailing sub-shrub
Mature Height: 10–15cm
Mature Spread: 60–90cm+ (spreading)
Flowering Period: Spring (March–May), with sporadic blooms through summer
Flower Colour: Lavender-blue / violet-blue
Foliage Colour: Bright golden-yellow leaves with green variegation
Hardiness: Very hardy in Ireland & the UK
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil — tolerates a wide range once established
Aspect: Part shade to full shade (tolerates sun if soil stays reasonably moist)
Maintenance: Low

Description

Vinca minor ‘Blue and Gold’ is a ground cover with a bit more personality than the standard periwinkle. The foliage is the main event — bright golden-yellow with green markings that lights up shaded corners and gives the plant a cheerful, warm look all year round. Come spring, it produces the classic lavender-blue periwinkle flowers, which contrast really well against the golden leaves. It spreads steadily by trailing stems that root as they go, quietly filling gaps and suppressing weeds without ever getting out of hand. Reliable, low-maintenance, and genuinely useful — especially under trees or in spots where not much else wants to grow.

Caragh Garden Notebook

Planting:
Plant in spring or autumn into reasonably prepared soil. It’s not fussy, but it’ll establish faster with decent moisture in the first season. Space plants 40–50cm apart and they’ll knit together well over time. Works equally well in containers for trailing over the edge.

Watering:
Water regularly in the first season to get it settled. Once established it’s fairly self-sufficient, though it appreciates consistent moisture — particularly in sunnier spots where the golden foliage can scorch in dry conditions.

Feeding:
A light mulch of compost in spring is enough for plants in the ground. In containers, a slow-release feed at the start of the season will keep the foliage colour strong and vibrant.

Seasonal Care & Tidy-Up:
Vinca benefits from a trim after the main spring flush of flowers — cutting stems back by a third encourages bushy, compact growth and can trigger a second wave of blooms. If plants become straggly or bare in the centre over time, a harder cut back in early spring will rejuvenate them quickly.

Division (to keep plants vigorous):
Easy to divide or lift and move in spring or autumn. Rooted stems can be cut away from the parent plant and potted up or replanted directly — they establish with minimal fuss.

Pests & Problems:
Generally trouble-free. Aphids can occasionally appear on new growth in spring but rarely cause serious damage. Good airflow and avoiding overly wet, compacted soil will keep plants healthy. Slugs may shelter under the mat of foliage but typically leave the plant itself alone.

Design Notes:
Ideal for underplanting trees and shrubs, covering banks, or filling awkward shaded spots where little else will thrive. The golden foliage pairs beautifully with dark-leaved plants like heucheras, and it works well alongside ferns, hostas, and shade-tolerant grasses. Use it to create a bright, low carpet under woodland planting, or trail it from containers and raised beds for year-round colour and interest.