Vinca minor
| Vinca minor | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Vinca minor (common name: lesser periwinkle)
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring just before active growth commences[1], or in autumn[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 5 - 10 cm long, October in a cold frame. Roots quickly. High percentage[1].
Cultivation: A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil[3] but prefers those that are on the richer side[4]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant but they do not flower so well in deep shade[5][6][7]. It grows well under deciduous trees[8], and in such a position it can succeed in dry soils[9]. Established plants are drought tolerant[9].
A very ornamental[2] and polymorphic plant[3], there are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[8].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10].
This species rarely if ever sets seed in Britain[11]. It spreads rapidly by long trailing and rooting stems once it is established and will swamp out smaller plants[11].
Range: Europe, possibly also including Britain, from Denmark south and east to Spain and W. Asia.
Habitat: Fields, woodland edges, copses and hedgerows[12][13][4]. Ash and oak-hornbeam woods on better soils in central Europe[4].
Medicinal: The plant is sedative and tonic[14][15][16]. It contains the alkaloid 'vincamine', which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator[17]. Since the discovery of vincamine in the leaves, the plant has been used herbally to treat arteriosclerosis and for dementia due to insufficient blood supply to the brain[18].
The leaves are bitter, detergent and stomachic[12]. Taken internally, they are used in the treatment of internal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding and nosebleeds[18]. When crushed and applied to wounds they have astringent and healing properties[12]. A mouthwash is used to treat gingivitis, sore throats and mouth ulcers[18]. The leaves are gathered in the spring and dried for later use[12].
The root is antispasmodic and hypotensive[12][19]. It is used to lower the blood pressure[19]. The root is gathered in the autumn and dried for later use[12].
The fresh flowers are gently purgative, but lose their effect on drying[11].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[11]. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhages[11].
Usage: The stems are used in basket making[12].
A very good ground cover for covering steep banks and shady places, spreading rapidly once established and forming a dense cover within 2 years[5][6][7][9][3]. It is less dense on dry or exposed sites[20]. Plants are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[21].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: Large quantities of the plant are poisonous[19][22].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Knight, F. P.. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.