Vinca Minor 'Illumination'

Illumination Periwinkle | Vinca minor ‘Illumination’ | Illumination Creeping Myrtle | Variegated Periwinkle

Vinca Minor is a spectacular, trailing evergreen groundcover prized for its striking variegated foliage featuring brilliant golden-yellow centers edged in deep, glossy green. This vigorous selection from the Vinca family is known for its dense, mat-forming habit, excellent shade tolerance, and delicate, star-shaped periwinkle-blue flowers that bloom profusely in early spring. Its vibrant foliage creates stunning contrast, making it a standout choice for woodland gardens, shady borders, cascading over retaining walls, and trailing from mixed containers. With its reliable performance in low-light conditions, Illumination offers bright, year-round color and exceptional ground coverage with minimal maintenance.

Growing Vinca Minor

Light: Partial shade to full shade; thrives in dappled sunlight and produces the most vibrant foliage color when protected from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the bright leaves.

Soil: Moist, well‑drained soil; highly adaptable to various soil types, including poor or rocky soils, but performs best in organically rich mixtures.

Water: Moderate; water regularly until established, after which it becomes quite drought‑tolerant, requiring supplemental watering only during prolonged dry spells.

Maintenance: Low maintenance. Shearing or trimming back trailing stems in early spring before new growth appears can rejuvenate the plant and maintain a dense, tidy appearance.

Wildlife: Grown primarily for its dense, ornamental foliage; highly resistant to deer and rabbits.

Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 4–9.

Shipping Info

Vinca Minor plants are shipped as healthy young starts in 4" nursery pots. Allow 1–2 weeks after arrival for plants to recover from shipping and resume active growth before repotting or planting outdoors.