Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll' - white flowering small evergreen
As the German name of the herbaceous plant suggests, Vinca minor has leafy shoots all year round. Thus, the pretty ground cover provides colourful areas in the garden even in winter. Small evergreen is more delicate than the species with the botanical name Vinca major, which is native to our forests. This wild form has light blue to purple flowers. The cultivar Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll comes from England and has white flowers that stand out pleasantly from the other members of the genus. The flowers shine on the dark green foliage. Small-leaved evergreen spreads like a carpet with shoots flat on the ground. The robust and pruning-tolerant plant needs very little care and is a weed-suppressant plant.
Plant description: Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll
Vinca minor is creeping to bushy and reaches a maximum height of 20cm. Oppositely arranged, oval leaves with a leathery texture are glossy and have a smooth edge. Their backs have a lighter shade. Flowering shoots protrude upwards and reveal about 3cm large, five-leaved flowers from April to June. But that's not all, because after-flowering plants appear until September. In a way, the leaves, which are turned slightly to the right, are reminiscent of a mill wheel with a rotating rim in the middle. The flowers of Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll are on stems in the leaf axils. From June onwards, bellows fruits form, which burst open as soon as the seeds are ripe.
In which locations does the evergreen shine?
When it comes to soil, evergreen is quite modest. Normal garden soil meets its needs. It is similarly undemanding when it comes to the need for light. Both sunny and shady areas suit the evergreen. The charming half shrubs are perfectly suited:
- for stone and front gardens
- as ground cover for areas, slopes and walls
- for grave design
- as roof greenery
- underplanting of trees and shrubs
Wild romantic gardens enchant with diversity and playfulness. The desire for naturalness takes on real form in a cottage garden. In these cosy oases, Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll breaks up colourful perennial beds and borders. In the woodland garden, small evergreens merge with shade-tolerant perennials.
Creative ideas with evergreens
Buying Vinca minor sets no limits to the design possibilities. If required, the small evergreen serves as a charming ceiling filler. Together with summer lilac and hortensia interesting arrangements are created. On the other hand, the bendable stems can be used to make beautiful decorations for the home. The twigs add volume to bare stems and wrap gracefully around stems or wickerwork.
At first glance you can see why this evergreen is so popular. The delicate white flowers and the lush green make the ground cover Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll one of the most popular garden plants. The evergreen makes few demands on the gardener. It can be planted in the shade or in a sunny position. If you plant the ground cover under a tree, it will produce lush green leaves. If it grows in the sun, the white flowers will form. The evergreen ground cover grows to about 15cm tall and is frost hardy. Like almost all other ground covers, this evergreen with white flowers is a natural weed killer.
Buy Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll'
For one square metre, you will need about 12 plants.
The plants are grown in pots, so you can use the small white evergreen all year round.
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