There are many variants of periwinkle. I would broadly classify them into the "woody type" and "hanging type". The woody type is normally planted in the ground or pot as a small flowering shrub. The hanging type as the name suggested is planted in hanging pots, giving a showy display of drooping flowers.
Both are ever flowering evergreen that can be planted in full sun or partial shade, and is not particularly choosy of soil medium. You will often find vinca from fallen seeds growing happily in the smallest nooks and crevices giving the chance. But vinca is a thirsty plant. The leaves will curl at the first sign of thirst and turn yellow and fall off if not watered pronto. However, it cannot withstand water logging and will die back under such condition. The hanging type is less tolerant to water logging.
There are two most common pests afflicting periwinkle plants. Spider mites and mealy bugs. If not contained at first signs, the whole plant will die back. It is very difficult to see the spider mites but you will know of their presence when tips and green/soft branches die back for no apparent reason. A spray of white oil does wonders.
A monthly organic compost feeding will keep it flowering happily. Nip the tips of the branches to get a more bushy plant. Prune the stems back when they get too leggy to encourage new shoots.
Propagation is done by seeds or cuttings. Use mature woods if propagating from cuttings. The soft green stems will not strike roots. Since vinca cross pollinates readily, cuttings is the only way to ensure that you propagate the desired variants. I started with five variants which I collected over time and now I have nine variants. I let the periwinkles cross pollinate freely in a semi controlled landspace.
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Now... if I can get hold of the violet/blue variant for a perfect '10' !
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