11 Charming Flowers That Look Like Periwinkle

The delicate periwinkle flower, with its calming blue and purple hues, holds a special charm. It reminds us of tranquil cottage gardens and soft, romantic landscapes. If you love this look but are searching for more variety for your garden or floral arrangements in Singapore, you are in the right place. 

This guide will introduce you to gorgeous alternatives that capture the same magic, from sun-loving ground covers to elegant flowers perfect for a shady balcony. Let's explore the beautiful world of periwinkle lookalikes.

Ground Cover Flowers That Resemble Periwinkle

For those who love periwinkle for its ability to create a carpet of colour, these low-growing plants offer a similar aesthetic and function, beautifully covering the ground.

1. Blue Star Creeper (Laurentia fluviatilis)

The Blue Star Creeper is as delightful as its name suggests, producing masses of dainty, star-shaped flowers in a lovely pale blue. These delicate blooms sit atop a dense, mat-like spread of tiny green leaves, creating a soft, textured carpet. This plant shares the periwinkle’s low, ground-hugging habit and features small, blue flowers. 

However, its blooms have a more structured, geometric star shape compared to the periwinkle's rounded pinwheel petals. Blue Star Creeper prefers full sun to partial shade and enjoys consistent moisture, making it quite adaptable for Singapore. 

Regular watering will keep it looking lush and vibrant. It is an ideal choice for planting between stepping stones as it can handle light foot traffic, and also works wonderfully as a living mulch or a soft border for a garden bed.

2. Lithodora Diffusa (Grace Ward)

Lithodora is a true show-stopper, celebrated for its intense and brilliant blue five-petaled flowers. The blooms are complemented by lush, evergreen foliage made up of slightly hairy, slender leaves. While it belongs to the same cool colour family, Lithodora offers a much deeper, more vibrant blue than the soft lavender-blue of a typical periwinkle, providing a more dramatic and eye-catching display. 

This plant is a sun-loving alternative that thrives in full sun and requires well-draining soil to prevent its roots from becoming waterlogged. Lithodora is perfect for rock gardens, where its brilliant blue can contrast beautifully with stone. It also looks stunning cascading over the edges of retaining walls or spilling gracefully out of large containers.

3. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping Phlox is known for creating dense carpets of needle-like foliage that, in its blooming season, become completely covered in a profusion of small, five-petaled flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. It provides a very similar ground cover effect to periwinkle, but with a more explosive and concentrated flowering period. 

The petals are often notched at the tip, a subtle difference from the smooth petals of the periwinkle. This plant is another sun-worshipper, needing full sun and very well-drained soil to flourish. In a local context, it is a fantastic choice for sunny slopes or rockeries. Creeping Phlox is excellent for cascading over retaining walls, edging pathways, and covering sunny banks with a beautiful, low-maintenance mat of colour.

4. Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica)

Forget-Me-Nots are cherished for their charming clusters of tiny, sky-blue flowers, each with a distinct and cheerful yellow centre. The plant grows in a bushy, compact form. The individual flowers are much smaller than periwinkle blooms, but they appear in large, airy clusters, creating a soft blue haze of colour. 

These flowers prefer cooler, shadier, and moist spots in the garden, making them a wonderful choice for areas that don't get direct, harsh sun. They are ideal for underplanting taller flowers, filling in gaps in shaded borders, and adding a delicate, whimsical touch to bouquets.

5. Browallia (Bush Violet)

Also known as the Bush Violet, Browallia features beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades from pale violet to a rich, blue-purple, often with a bright white centre. It grows into a lovely, bushy plant with rich green foliage. 

Browallia offers a more dramatic and velvety flower that is slightly larger than a periwinkle bloom, all while staying within the same gentle colour spectrum. This plant thrives in partial shade and prefers well-drained, consistently moist soil. This makes it a great fit for sheltered balconies or patios. It is an excellent choice for container gardening and hanging baskets, where its flowers can be admired up close.

6. Campanula (Bellflower)

Campanula, or Bellflower, is known for its signature bell-shaped or star-shaped blooms in a dreamy palette of pastel purples, blues, pinks, and whites. Some varieties have wide, open, cup-like blooms that strongly resemble the shape of a periwinkle. 

The colour of many Campanula varieties can be a near-perfect match to periwinkle, but the flower shape adds a different texture and form. This is a versatile plant, with different varieties available that can thrive in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. It adds a romantic, ethereal touch to any space and is perfect for cottage-style planting schemes, rock gardens, and garden borders.

7. Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Lobelia is prized for its amazing profusion of small, delicate blooms that range from a gentle powder blue to a deep, intense violet, often with a tiny white throat. While the individual flowers are quite small, they bloom in such huge numbers that they create a cascading wall of solid colour. Lobelia is well-suited to our climate, where it is often grown as an annual. 

It performs best in hanging baskets and containers placed where they can receive gentle morning sun and be protected from the harsh afternoon heat. It is a classic choice for the "spiller" role in container arrangements, gracefully trailing over the edges of pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets.

8. Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

Plumbago produces wonderful clusters of striking, sky-blue flowers that look somewhat like phlox blooms. It grows as a sprawling, vine-like shrub with bright green leaves. This plant offers a true, clear sky-blue colour, which can often be difficult to find. 

Unlike the single blooms of periwinkle, its flowers grow in rounded clusters, creating a bolder visual impact. Plumbago is a tropical plant that absolutely thrives in full sun and heat, making it an excellent and hardy choice for Singapore gardens. It can be grown as an informal hedge, trained to climb up a trellis, or simply allowed to cascade beautifully over a wall.

9. Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

The Balloon Flower is truly unique. Its flower buds swell up into puffy, balloon-like shapes before they pop open into a five-pointed, star-shaped flower in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Once the flower is open, its wide, star-like shape is very reminiscent of a periwinkle but with a more substantial petal structure. 

These perennial flowers requires full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. It can be grown very successfully in pots, making it a wonderful option for sunny apartment balconies. The Balloon Flower is a wonderful addition to perennial borders and mixed container plantings, adding a touch of playful charm.

10. Annual Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)

Often called Madagascar Periwinkle, this plant has beautiful, flat, phlox-like flowers that come in a huge range of colours, including bright pinks, reds, and white, often with a contrasting coloured eye. This is a very close relative of the classic periwinkle, and the flower shape is almost identical. 

The key difference is in its habit; this is an upright, bushy, sun-loving plant, not a trailing ground cover. This plant is extremely well-suited to Singapore’s hot and sunny climate, as it is very drought-tolerant and heat-tolerant. It is a go-to choice for adding vibrant, long-lasting colour to sunny garden beds, borders, and containers.

11. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

This alternative focuses on foliage and function rather than flowers. Wild Ginger forms a dense and lush mat of large, heart-shaped, deep green leaves. For gardeners looking for a non-invasive, shade-loving ground cover, Wild Ginger is a superb choice. It fulfils the same functional role as periwinkle, creating a carpet of lush green, but with a bolder leaf. 

It thrives in shady, moist conditions, making it an excellent choice for underplanting larger shrubs and trees in a tropical garden. Wild Ginger is a perfect ground cover solution for those deep shade areas in a garden where even a classic periwinkle might struggle.

Understanding the Allure of the Periwinkle Flower

Before we explore the alternatives, it is helpful to understand the flower that inspires our search. Its simple beauty and reliable nature are what make it so popular, but there are also good reasons to consider other options for your garden.

The classic periwinkle, known botanically as Vinca minor, is a lovely, low-growing plant. It is most famous for its simple yet perfect five-petaled flowers that resemble a pinwheel. These blooms typically appear in shades of lavender, blue, and sometimes white. 

It is widely used as an evergreen ground cover, meaning its foliage stays green and lush all year round. The plant spreads through trailing stems that gracefully arch over and root where they touch the soil, creating a dense and beautiful mat of green leaves dotted with colour.

While the periwinkle is undeniably lovely, there are a few reasons why a gardener in Singapore might look for an alternative. In many parts of the world, its vigorous growth habit can become invasive, meaning it can spread too aggressively and crowd out other plants in the garden. For a well-planned garden, this can become a challenge to manage.

You might want a flower with a similar colour but a different shape, or a plant that thrives in the full, bright sun of a Singaporean afternoon. Seeking alternatives allows you to find the perfect plant that not only looks beautiful but is also perfectly suited to the specific conditions of your garden, balcony, or home.

If you are looking to use them as decor, then it’s best to learn how to arrange flowers on a vase.

How to Choose the Right Periwinkle Alternative for Your Home

With so many lovely options, choosing the right one comes down to understanding your own space and needs. Thinking about a few key factors will help you select the perfect plant.

Take a close look at the spot you want to fill. Does your balcony receive bright, direct sun all day, or is it a shady, sheltered corner? A little flower care will go a long way.

By matching the plant's needs for sun, water, and soil to your specific environment, you set it up for success. A sun-lover like Plumbago will not be happy in deep shade, while Forget-Me-Nots would struggle in the hot afternoon sun.

Consider what you want the plant to do in your garden.Are you looking for a dense ground cover like Creeping Phlox to prevent weeds on a slope? Do you need a trailing plant like Lobelia to spill beautifully from a hanging basket? Thinking about the plant's ultimate shape and purpose will help you make the best choice. 

Finally, consider how the different shades of blue, purple, and white from these alternatives can be combined to create a calming and beautiful garden design. 

Conclusion On Flowers That Look Like Periwinkle

While the classic periwinkle is a truly lovely flower, it is clear that a wide world of beautiful alternatives exists for every type of garden. There are so many charming flowers that can bring that same gentle feeling to your home. 

Whether you need a hardy, sun-loving ground cover for a bright spot, a delicate cascading flower for a hanging pot, or a lush foliage plant for a shady corner, there is a periwinkle lookalike to suit your needs. We encourage you to experiment with these options to bring new textures and beautiful shades of blue and purple to your Singaporean home and garden.

Singapore Florist is your one-stop-shop for the best flowers in the country. We have a wide selection of flowers you can choose from.

Contact us if you find something you like or if you would like to build your own flower bouquet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Look Like Periwinkle

What Flower Is Mistaken for Periwinkle?

The flower most often mistaken for periwinkle (Vinca minor) is its close relative, the Annual Vinca (Catharanthus roseus), also known as Madagascar Periwinkle. They share a very similar five-petaled flower shape, but the Annual Vinca is an upright, sun-loving plant, whereas the true periwinkle is a trailing, shade-tolerant ground cover.

Is There a Flower Called Periwinkle?

Yes, there is. Periwinkle is the common name for plants in the Vinca genus, most notably Vinca minor (Common Periwinkle) and Vinca major (Greater Periwinkle). These are typically low-growing, evergreen plants known for their lavender-blue flowers.

What Is the Difference Between Vinca and Periwinkle?

There is no difference; they are two names for the same plant. "Vinca" is the botanical or genus name for the plant, while "periwinkle" is its common name. So, every periwinkle is a type of Vinca.

Is Creeping Phlox the Same as Periwinkle?

No, Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) and periwinkle (Vinca minor) are two different plants. While they are both low-growing ground covers with five-petaled flowers, Phlox has needle-like foliage and blooms intensely in spring, while periwinkle has broad, glossy leaves and flowers more sporadically throughout the year.

Are Periwinkles Invasive?

Yes, in many regions, Vinca minor and Vinca major are considered invasive. Their trailing stems root very easily, allowing them to spread quickly and form dense mats that can smother out native vegetation and other garden plants. This is one of the main reasons gardeners seek alternatives.

What Is a Good Substitute for Periwinkle Ground Cover?

A great substitute depends on your garden's conditions. For sunny areas, Creeping Phlox or Blue Star Creeper are excellent choices. For shady spots, Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) provides a beautiful, non-invasive foliage alternative that fills a similar role.