Dry and shady gardens: a double whammy Most gardeners would agree that gardening in full shade presents certain difficulties, and I dare say that all would agree that gardening in dry, compacted soil is an even greater challenge; but combine the two, and you have a serious gardening hardship. Dry shade is almost always the result of mature trees with roots that run close to … [Read more...] about 8 plants for dry and shady gardens
periwinkle
What is the quickest way to eliminate periwinkle?
Stephen in Brantford, Ont., asks: What is the quickest way to eliminate periwinkle? Beckie’s reply: One option would be to solarize the area where the periwinkle (Vinca minor) is growing. This is a viable option if no other plants you want to save are in the area, and the area isn’t too large. Solarization involves cutting back all growth to ground level and then … [Read more...] about What is the quickest way to eliminate periwinkle?
Getting periwinkle under control
There are good reasons to grow and enjoy periwinkle (Vinca minor, Zone 4). It has a beautiful blue or white spring flower, and small leaves that work well with perennial plants and woody shrubs. Periwinkle, sometimes called myrtle, is a broadleaf evergreen that keeps its glossy leaves in winter. It’s fast growing, making a six-inch (15-cm) thick weed-suppressing mat, rooting … [Read more...] about Getting periwinkle under control
Groundcover plants: the resilient and the fussy
I decided to take a look at how the groundcover plants have fared during the heat and drought. I’ve been watering them once a week, but that hasn’t been adequate for some of them. The new wine-purple periwinkle (Vinca minor ‘Atropurpurea’, Zone 5) looks good, as does the older blue variety. My big patch of periwinkle gets good attention, sharing quarters with variegated … [Read more...] about Groundcover plants: the resilient and the fussy
Periwinkle: too much of a good thing
These autumn weeks of outdoor housekeeping tell the tale of seasonal progress — a few plants haven’t grown much, or worse, have declined from environmental stress or from competition for light with larger neighbours. But mostly I’m confronted with rampant growth, the end result of consistent cultivation on home ground. There are some weeks of heavy wood pruning ahead, but that … [Read more...] about Periwinkle: too much of a good thing
