Vinca Minor, aka Periwinkle is the slope covering groundcover that i started planting yesterday. It was recommended to us by two professional landscape designers. The dark green leaves and light lavender spring flowers will be spectacular for the steep bank we have in the back yard. I bought three flats, and planted the shoots about a foot apart. So far, i am 1/3 of the way through planting them. This is badly needed for the steep slope we have struggled with for over 10 years. Over the last few months, i have transplanted a few bearded iris up on the bank, and am contemplating throwing some alstromeria up there as well. I'll be yanking out the existing old, and woody lavendar we have up there already as i move along the bank and put in the vinca. It'll probably be six months before we start to see it really begin to cover the dirt up there. Plus, i may need to add another flat or two as things grow in to fill in any missed spots. Sunset Western Gardening Book says it'll grow to about 6 inches tall, and need an occasional sheering to half it's height to encourage re growth. I remember tossing up some mexican primorose (pink) seeds last summer. Those are a perennial, so lets hope those come up as well. I think i'll wait and see how well this covers before i add any additonal pockets of plants up there. Floribunda roses will line the top of the bank, and accent the waterfall soon, but planting this is like laying the foundation of an important visual aspect of our backyard. Hooray!
