Bulk discount!
Lesser periwinkle
Embrace the charm of Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', a delightful variety of the lesser periwinkle known for its elegant ground-covering abilities and attractive foliage. This resilient evergreen is a superb choice for borders, group plantings, or as underplanting, thanks to its versatile nature and ease of care.
With its exquisite green and white variegated leaves that remain vibrant throughout the seasons, 'Ralph Shugert' offers an enduring splash of color to any garden setting.
The key features of Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' include:
We would like to provide some tips on how to plant and care for a Border plants. By following these tips, you can be sure to enjoy your Border plants for a long time.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' thrives in a range of lighting conditions, from the full sun to partial shade and even in full shade, allowing for versatile placement in garden designs. For optimal growth and flowering, a well-drained soil is essential, but the plant is adaptable to various soil types. This cultivar's creeping, widespread growth habit makes it an excellent choice for ground cover in border applications or as a complement beneath taller plants. Regular watering will support its evergreen foliage and vibrant purple blooms that grace the garden from spring through autumn.
For successful establishment, Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' should be planted in well-drained soil, accommodating its adaptability to various soil types. This variegated cultivar thrives under a range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. Upon planting, ensure the root ball is level with the soil surface and spaced to allow for its creeping growth habit. Water moderately to settle the soil around the roots and maintain average moisture levels, particularly during dry spells, as its drought tolerance develops once established. Regular watering promotes a lush, vibrant ground cover of yellow and green leaves accented by enchanting blue flowers.
To encourage a robust display of its charming purple blossoms, it is advisable to prune Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' in the early to mid-spring. This timing ensures that pruning is done after any risk of severe weather has subsided and just as the plant's buds begin to show signs of growth. Carefully remove any dead or damaged growth to maintain a healthy and aesthetically pleasing ground cover. Regular pruning also helps to control its spread, keeping this evergreen species in check within its designated area.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is a drought-resistant groundcover that thrives with average water requirements. Despite its resilience, ensuring even moisture, particularly when the plant is establishing its root system, is crucial. Once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. Watering should be done deeply and infrequently, encouraging a strong root network. In well-drained soil, overwatering can be avoided, which is essential for the health of the plant. During prolonged dry spells, supplemental watering may be necessary to maintain its vibrant foliage and flowering performance. In pots, monitor soil moisture closely as containers can dry out more quickly.
To support the lush foliage and charming purple blooms of Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', a balanced approach to fertilization is essential. Apply a complete, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to kick-start the growing season. This evergreen ground cover benefits from an additional feeding right after the first flowering period, which typically concludes in April.
The granules should be scattered around the base of the plant, taking care not to allow direct contact with the leaves to prevent burn. Since this species is evergreen and maintains its variegated leaves throughout the year, providing it with the nutrients it needs will ensure vigorous growth and enhance its vibrant coloration. Regular fertilization also helps in establishing a robust root system, vital for this plant's creeping, widespread growth habit.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is a particularly resilient ground cover, thriving in areas where other plants may struggle. This variety's variegated foliage, edged in creamy white, provides year-round interest even when not in bloom. Additionally, its ability to root at the nodes makes it an excellent choice for stabilizing soil on slopes. The plant's adaptability to various light conditions, from full sun to shade, ensures that it can beautify any corner of your garden.
To propagate Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', division is an effective technique to encourage vitality and growth. This process involves carefully lifting the plant from the soil, ensuring a well-drained location is prepared for the replanting. Once removed, the plant should be separated into smaller sections, each with sufficient roots and shoots to establish independently. Replanting these sections allows for the spread of this creeping, evergreen species, ensuring continuous coverage and the charming display of purple blooms each spring. Division is best carried out in the milder temperatures of spring or autumn to minimize stress on the plants.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' typically grows to a maximum height of 10 centimeters.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' will reach a maximum spread of 50 centimeters to 1 meter at its full maturity.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is adaptable to various soil types but thrives best in well-drained soil. Ensuring proper drainage allows for optimal growing conditions for this particular plant.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is adaptable to various light conditions, making it suitable for locations with sun, partial shade, or shade. This plant can thrive in environments with direct sunlight, as well as in areas with partial shade or even in fully shaded spots. However, for optimal growth and blooming, a location with partial shade is preferable.
The blossoms of Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' display a lovely blue hue, adding a delightful touch of color to the plant.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is indeed winter hardy. With a tolerance for temperatures ranging from -20.6°C to -15.0°C, it is classified within the USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7a. This indicates that Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' can endure the winter conditions in these zones, making it a suitable choice for landscapes in these regions.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is indeed an evergreen plant. This means that it maintains its green foliage throughout the year, providing a consistent and lush appearance to your garden or landscape.
Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is known for its gradual growth, taking approximately 5 to 10 years to reach its full height. This plant demonstrates a steady and deliberate progression in achieving its ultimate stature.
If we are proud of anything at Heijnen Plants, it is our plant packaging. We have developed our own unique way of packaging our 9x9 cm potted plants. After years of continued development and research, we managed to create packaging that allows plants to be delivered to your home undamaged and quickly through a parcel service. This makes us unique!
Learn more
If you have ordered large-sized plants or trees, we deliver them on sealed pallets and place them around your house or driveway. The pallets are sturdy and provide optimal protection for large-sized plants.
We deliver small or medium-sized plants in boxes. The size of the box depends on the size of the plant. We always make sure that the plant has enough space but still stands firmly in the box, so it cannot be damaged during transport.
Enhance your garden with the Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', a distinguished ground cover known for its variegated foliage and periwinkle blooms. This plant thrives with minimal care, offering a lush carpet of greenery year-round. Ideal for adding texture and color, it's a gardener's delight.
