February 28, 2025 Peter van Dijk

Pruning Periwinkle

Small Periwinkle (Vinca Minor) and Large Periwinkle (Vinca Major) are popular garden plants that are often used as ground cover are used. These evergreen plants provide a vibrant and decorative green carpet all year round. Although they are relatively easy to care for, regular pruning of Periwinkle can contribute to healthier growth and a more attractive appearance. In this blog, we cover everything you need to know about pruning Vinca Minor and Vinca Major, and how best to handle care after pruning.

When to Prune Periwinkle?

Pruning Periwinkle differs slightly depending on the species, but generally, there are a few key times of the year when pruning provides the most benefit offers:

Early spring (March-April): This is the ideal time to prune back both the Vinca Minor and the Vinca Major. Pruning in early spring helps to remove dead or wilted leaves and branches, allowing the plant to prepare for the new growth cycle.
After flowering (spring-summer): Especially for the Great Periwinkle (Vinca Major), after flowering is also a good time to cut away spent flowers and wilted branches. This promotes the formation of new shoots and ensures that the plant maintains a beautiful appearance.
Autumn: For both the Small and the Large Periwinkle, you can perform light pruning in the autumn to rejuvenate the plant and prevent it from becoming too unruly. This helps to maintain a neat appearance and prepares the plant for winter.

How to Prune Periwinkle?

Pruning is essential for both the Vinca Minor (Small Periwinkle) and the Vinca Major (Major Periwinkle) to keep healthy and beautiful. Pruning both species differs slightly due to their growing conditions, so let's look at the best approach for each species.

Pruning Vinca Minor

The Minor Periwinkle grows more slowly and has smaller leaves and flowers. Pruning this plant is simple and helps keep the plant compact and neat.

Steps for Pruning Vinca Minor:

Use sharp pruning shears: Because the branches of Vinca Minor are thinner than those of Vinca Major, it is important to use sharp pruning shears to prevent tearing and damage.
Remove dead or damaged parts: Start by pruning dead, damaged, or wilted branches. This ensures that the plant puts energy into healthy parts and prevents the spread of diseases.
Limit growth: If you want to control the plant, you can cut off long shoots or branches that spread. Prune the stems to just above the roots to give the plant a more compact shape.
Prune after flowering: Vinca Minor usually flowers in early spring, so it is a good idea to remove the flowers after flowering to stimulate new growth and maintain the plant's neat appearance.

Pruning Vinca Major

The Major Periwinkle has larger leaves and faster growth than the Minor Periwinkle. This may make pruning somewhat more intensive.

Steps for Pruning Vinca Major:

Start with an inspection: Inspect the plant thoroughly to identify dead, damaged, or wilted branches. These branches must be removed first to keep the plant healthy.
Prune long, uncontrollable shoots: Vinca Major tends to spread rapidly, so it may be necessary to prune back long shoots that spread out too far. This prevents the plant from taking up space uncontrollably.
Rejuvenate the plant: If the plant is taking up too much space, you can rejuvenate it by pruning older branches back to the base. This stimulates new growth and a denser appearance.
Prune after flowering: Remove the spent flowers and stems after flowering. This not only helps the plant look neat, but also ensures that the plant focuses its energy on new shoots.

Is Periwinkle a Spreader?

Periwinkle, particularly the Vinca Major, is known for its ability to spread aggressively. This means that the plant expands rapidly and can cover large areas of the garden. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on where you use the plant.

Vinca Minor (Small Periwinkle) tends to be less invasive than Vinca Major and often stays neatly within the boundaries of the planting site.
Vinca Major (Large Periwinkle) can spread faster and is sometimes considered an invasive species, especially in areas where the plant is not kept in check. It is important to prune regularly and monitor growth to prevent it from becoming a problem.

Caring for Periwinkle after Pruning

After pruning, it is important to take good care of the Periwinkle so that it can recover optimally and continue to grow. Here are some tips for caring for your Periwinkle after pruning:

Watering: Give the plant sufficient water after pruning to promote recovery. Ensure that the soil is well-draining so that water does not stagnate around the roots.
Fertilizing: It is a good idea to lightly fertilize the plant in early spring. Use a fertilizer for flowering plants to stimulate growth and support the plant's health.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plant to retain moisture and protect the roots from temperature fluctuations. Mulch also helps to reduce weed growth.
Check for diseases and pests: After pruning, it is important to regularly check the plant for signs of diseases or pests. This prevents your plant from sustaining further damage.
Regular maintenance: Continue to regularly check and prune the Periwinkle to prevent it from taking up too much space, especially if you are dealing with the more invasive Vinca Major.