Groundcovers
Vinca minor 'Bowles's Variety'
Bowles lesser periwinkle
Also known as: La Grave periwinkle · Bowles's Blue periwinkle
Violet-blue spring flowers rise above a spreading mat of dark, evergreen leaves. This vigorous lesser periwinkle can cover a shady bank or bed edge, though it flowers most freely with more light. Keep wandering stems out of neighboring plantings.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun to full shade
- Mature size
- To 8 in. tall × 3–5 ft. over time wide
- Water
- Average; avoid the driest sites
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–8
- Bloom
- Violet-blue in spring, with occasional later flowers.
Sizes & prices
- FlatCall for price
- Flat$39.99
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Resistance & tolerances
- Deer
- Generally resistant, not browse-proof.
- Drought
- Some tolerance once established; avoid prolonged dryness.
- Wet soil
- Adaptable, but best in moist, draining soil.
Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.
Pollinators & wildlife
- Attracts
- Bees
- Evidence
- Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.
Keep in mind: Kentucky Forestry lists lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) as invasive. This cultivar can spread into nearby beds and natural areas; avoid planting beside woods and keep stems contained.
Seasonal interest
- Habit
- Evergreen stems form a spreading mat.
Growing & care
- Pruning
- Trim wandering stems to keep the mat within its bed.
- Placement
- Useful beneath shrubs and on banks; monitor its edges.
Sources & photo credits
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek · CC BY-SA 4.0
Image notes: La Grave is a documented name for Bowles’s Variety; image resized for web.
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.