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Vinca: terror or pleasure?

TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
in Plants
I've recently planted two Vinca minor in a new bed.

I've since found an online reporting tool for "invasive" plants.

There is a list of "most reported" invasive plants on which Vinca appears.

Should I be running outside and ripping it out or is it something that can get annoying but be easily dealt with?

Anyone had bad experiences with it?

I don't want to get caught up in invasion hysteria.

I would like to hear first hand experiences....

Thanks (as always).

J.
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Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I like it but I do pull out chunks of it from time to time, when it encroaches on other things.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    It can be invasive but it depends on what you are prepared to do. It sends out arching stems that root wherever they touch and can quickly take over. If you are happy to remove growth that occurs in the wrong places, then you can simple dig these plantlet's out. So essentially I'd just say that it spreads quickly but not in the same invasive way bindweed does. The variagated forms are less vigorous and it's a good ground cover for areas where it has space to do its thing but I wouldn't put it anywhere near a mixed bed because it could become a real pain.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Three houses ago I inherited it in a largish bed and never having grown it before I was pleased with the ground cover it gave. It didn't take me long to realise that it doesn't just grow, it gallops so I haven't grown it since. However, last summer I bought a couple of plants to trail over the edges of a waterfall into a little pond but I planted them in terracotta pots. So far, so good and I don't regret my purchase but my goodness I keep an eye open for gallopers. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It's not deep-rooted so it's fairly easy to dig out if it spreads where you don't want it. And it's one of the relatively small number of plants that do well in dry shade. I don't think I'd have it in a prime sunny spot or even in damp shade (because there are things I like better that will grow in those places).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Vinca major is much more of a problem - a bigger galloper, inclined to take over - though I inherited it in this garden as almost the only cultivated plant, fighting its way through a bed of brambles.  I yank up the bits I don't want, but the rest looks very pretty sprawling over a dry stone wall.  V.minor is great as ground cover in dry shade, as @JennyJ says, and survives neglect very well.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Vinca: terror or pleasure?

    I inherited some vinca and it really is a royal pain in the arse. It layers everywhere and proves impossible to dig out, growing up through planters and in the middle of shrubs.

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    It's fine in its place. I wouldn't have it in a small garden, it's hard to keep it really confined, but with a bit of room and some definite boundaries, it can be useful
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066
    I wish I hadn't planted it.  I'm trying to get rid of it but it's difficult once it takes hold.  
    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Fire said:
    Vinca: terror or pleasure?

    I inherited some vinca and it really is a royal pain in the arse. It layers everywhere and proves impossible to dig out, growing up through planters and in the middle of shrubs.


    My variegated vinca major is a bit like that, but I don't want to get rid of it because it has sentimental value (the original plant was given to me by my OH's mother, from her mother's garden). I keep thinking I'll plant up some chunks in a big tub or pot and pull out the rest, but somehow I haven't got around to it yet. On the plus side, it does brighten up those dry shady spots and will grow underneath established shrubs and in the rain shadow beside fences quite happily. I suppose that could be a problem if you prefer to keep the soil clear around shrubs.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I have had it in my garden, but l agree that it can be a PITA . You really need to keep an eye on it, or it's off. From personal experience l wouldn't say it was that easy to pull out but of course it depends on your soil.
    Having said that, l have just bought 2 to plant into a pot inside a chimney pot to trail down 😊. Someone suggested it on the forum and l pinched the idea.
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