Lesser Periwinkle Vinca minor 'Illumination'

Planting Advice for Vinca minor Illumination:

• Before planting, prepare the soil by digging over and removing any weeds. Incorporate some well-rotted manure to enrich the soil if necessary.
• When planting a number of perennials, arrange them on the surface so you can see how they will look before planting.
• Individually knock out each plant from its container. Look at the roots – if they are circling around the compost, it is best to tease them out. To do this, push your fingers into the rootball along the bottom edge and pull. Do this in a couple of places. This should encourage the roots to spread into the surrounding soil.
• Next use a trowel or spade to create a hole just deep and wide enough to set in the rootball.
• The aim is to bury just the roots, leaving the bases of the stems (when in growth in summer) or the shoots (in spring) above ground.
• Firm back around the soil, using your hand for small clumps and your heel on larger areas.
• Water in well to settle the soil and prevent desiccation.

Aftercare Advice for periwinkles:

• Keep plants well-watered until established when they will become more drought tolerant.

Pruning Advice for vinca:

• Pruning is not normally needed; however, any unwanted shoots can be cut back in spring.
• Cutting back to a couple of inches after blooming every couple of years will help to keep plants dense.