Vinca minor 'Lesser Periwinkle'

[Ex. Radan 1180m., Serbia]

Apocynaceae: a wide-spreading evergreen perennial about 10cm in height. Found in fields, woodland edges, copses and hedgerows, ash, hornbeam and oak woods. Violet-blue flowers, 2.5cm in width, 5-lobed, salver-shaped from the leaf axils. Blooming from April-May. Simple, paired leaves, ovate, and dark green. Native to Europe, from Denmark south and east to Spain and Western Asia. Possibly Britain.

USES:

The plant has sedative and tonic properties. It contains the alkaloid 'vincamine', which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator. Since the discovery of vincamine in the leaves, the plant has been used herbally to treat arteriosclerosis and for dementia due to insufficient blood supply to the brain. The leaves are bitter, detergent and stomachic. Taken internally, they are used in the treatment of internal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding and nosebleeds. When crushed and applied to wounds they have astringent and healing properties. A mouthwash is used to treat gingivitis, sore throats and mouth ulcers.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in late winter in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil but prefers those that are on the richer side. Plants are very shade tolerant but they do not flower so well in deep shade. It grows well under deciduous trees, and in such a position it can succeed in dry soils. This species rarely if ever sets seed in Britain.

ROOTED CUTTINGS!