Creeping Myrtle

Creeping myrtle (Vinca minor) is one of those rare perennial evergreen ground covers that flower. Once it gets started, it pretty much takes care of itself, although you may have to take steps to prevent it from spreading out of control and you may have to deal with one major disease. Pay attention when you shop for nursery transplants because creeping myrtle is also commonly called periwinkle, lesser periwinkle, ground myrtle and running myrtle.

Creeping myrtle spreads by above-ground stems called stolons that trail in a mat or spread outward from a mound. Each plant in a mat grows up to 6 inches tall but spreads up to 3 feet wide. Creeping myrtle leaves are lustrous dark green on top with slightly white veins. Solitary blue-purple flowers with five pinwheel-like petals bloom in early spring, but you can buy cultivars that have white or reddish-lavender flowers. Creeping myrtle will grow in United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.

You can usually buy rooted creeping myrtle plugs in peat pots or cell packs, although they may come in containers. Plant the plugs 12 inches apart and mulch them. Field-grown plants at least 2 years old or plants grown in pots should be planted about 9 inches apart. Transplant in early spring or in September.

Creeping myrtle grows best in evenly moist, rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 8, although it will adapt to average soil. It prefers partial shade, but will grow in full shade and makes a good ground cover beneath shade trees. Full sun will reduce its vigor and may turn its leaves yellow. Growing it in USDA zones 8 and 9 requires lots of shade. Water creeping myrtle evenly for the first growing season to help the transplants get established. If the soil has enough moisture for mature creeping myrtle to grow, do not irrigate it frequently. Apply 6 to 8 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring per 1,000 square feet. Beware that creeping myrtle may spread rapidly under the best growing conditions.