Common periwinkle

Common periwinkle
Vinca minor
Dogbane family

Common periwinkle was introduced to North America in the 1700s as an ornamental plant for gardens. This perennial is an evergreen vine-like plant with dark green glossy leaves and pretty purple flowers.

It grows fast, forms a dense ground cover layer and can withstand poor growing conditions. These traits have made it an invasive species. It crowds out native plants in forests and is listed as one of the most problematic species in the Lower Mainland and it continues to spread throughout BC.

The Common periwinkle is one of the “top six” invasive species still sold in BC [1]

Learn more: Common Periwinkle Fact Sheet – Invasive Species Council of BC

[1] https://bcinvasives.ca/invasives/common-periwinkle/