7 Types Of Periwinkle Flowers

Walk down any HDB corridor, stroll through East Coast Park, or glance at the vibrant roadside plantings, and you will almost certainly spot the cheerful face of a periwinkle flower. With its simple, pinwheel shape and surprising resilience, it has become a cornerstone of Singapore's urban landscape. 

But behind this familiar flower lies a fascinating story of two distinct plant families, each with its own unique charm, habits, and uses. Many gardeners are surprised to learn that the trailing, shade-loving vine in one garden and the sun-worshipping, bushy plant in another are both called "periwinkle."

Understanding the Periwinkle Family First

There are two main groups of plants that share the periwinkle name. Knowing the difference is the key to successfully growing them, as their needs and growth habits are worlds apart.

First, we have the True Periwinkles, which belong to the botanical genus Vinca. These are the classic periwinkles of European gardens and literature, often called Creeping Myrtle. They are typically evergreen, woody-stemmed perennials that have a trailing or vining growth habit. 

Their stems creep along the ground, rooting where they touch the soil to form a dense, weed-suppressing mat. Vincas thrive in cooler, shadier conditions and prefer consistently moist soil. In Singapore, this means they are best suited for sheltered spots away from the intense afternoon sun, like under a leafy tree or on a shaded patio.

The second group, and the one most familiar to us in Singapore, is the Madagascar Periwinkle, belonging to the genus Catharanthus. 

Although it was once classified as a Vinca rosea due to its similar-looking flower, it was later moved to its own genus. As its name suggests, it is native to Madagascar and is a true tropical plant. Unlike the trailing Vinca, Catharanthus roseus grows into an upright, bushy shrub. 

It craves sunshine, heat, and humidity, making it perfectly adapted to our climate and are flowers that blooms all year round. It is remarkably drought-tolerant once established and produces a seemingly endless supply of flowers all year round. This is the hardworking plant you see adding vibrant colour to our parks and sunny balconies.

Now, let's explore seven of the best varieties from both families.

1. Vinca Major 'Variegata' (Variegated Greater Periwinkle)

This is a periwinkle that offers captivating beauty all year round, proving that flowers are only part of the story. Vinca major, or the Greater Periwinkle, is a vigorous, trailing plant with large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves. 

The 'Variegata' cultivar elevates this lushness with its stunning, decorative foliage. Each leaf is adorned with an irregular creamy-white edge that contrasts sharply with its deep green centre. This variegation acts like a natural spotlight, instantly brightening up the darker, shadier corners of a garden.

On top of its incredible leaves, it produces lovely, classic blue-violet flowers that are about 5 cm wide, adding a soft splash of colour in the cooler months. In terms of growth, it is an enthusiastic and fast-spreading plant. 

Its long, trailing stems will cascade beautifully, making it an excellent choice for spilling over the sides of large pots, retaining walls, or raised garden beds. In larger gardens, it can be used to cover a significant area of ground, though its vigorous nature means it may need to be trimmed back occasionally to keep it in bounds.

2. Vinca Minor 'Bowles's Variety' (Lesser Periwinkle)

If you love the classic woodland elegance of a periwinkle vine but have a smaller space or desire a more refined look, Vinca minor is the perfect choice. As the "lesser" periwinkle, its features are more delicate than its larger cousin. It forms a neat and dense mat of smaller, dark green, lance-shaped leaves, creating a very fine-textured ground cover.

The 'Bowles's Variety', also known as 'La Grave', is celebrated as one of the best-performing cultivars of Vinca minor. It is cherished for its ability to produce a profusion of flowers that are a particularly large and striking shade of violet-blue. 

While it is a vigorous grower that will fill in an area effectively, it is not as aggressive as Vinca major, making it much more manageable in smaller garden beds or containers. It is an excellent choice for a tidy, low-maintenance ground cover under trees and shrubs, for gracefully edging a shaded pathway, or for adding a trailing "spiller" element to mixed planters on a balcony. They are also great in attracting butterflies to your garden.

3. Vinca Minor 'Illumination'

For gardeners who believe that foliage is just as important, if not more so, than flowers, 'Illumination' is an absolute must-have. This variety of Lesser Periwinkle is a true showstopper, designed to look like a patch of sunlight has permanently fallen upon it. 

The leaves are the undisputed star of the show. Each one has a brilliant, almost fluorescent golden-yellow centre, which is framed by a narrow margin of deep, glossy green. This dramatic colouration creates a vibrant, illuminated effect that is incredibly valuable in the low-light conditions it prefers.

Of course, it does flower, producing the typical pretty blue blossoms of the species in the cooler parts of the year. 

These flowers create a stunning contrast against the bright foliage. 'Illumination' is the perfect plant for making a bold and colourful statement in shade gardens. It works wonderfully in containers, where its trailing stems can be admired up close, and it is a fantastic way to provide reliable, year-round colour in spots that do not get enough sun for flowering plants.

4. Catharanthus 'Cora® Cascade' Series (Trailing Madagascar Periwinkle)

Now we move into the sun-loving tropical periwinkles that are so at home in Singapore. The 'Cora® Cascade' series is a modern breeding marvel that takes the toughness of the Madagascar Periwinkle and gives it a beautiful trailing habit. 

This makes it incredibly versatile and one of the best choices for hanging baskets and containers. One of its most significant advantages, especially in our humid climate, is its high resistance to aerial Phytophthora, a fungal disease that can devastate other periwinkles.

This series was designed to spill, trail, and cascade. The plants produce long, flexible stems that are covered in flowers, creating a waterfall of colour. They are available in a fantastic range of shades, including soft lilac, vibrant strawberry, deep cherry, polka-dot patterns, and pure white. 

A 'Cora Cascade' in full bloom is a breathtaking sight. It is the number one choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and planting at the edge of large pots or retaining walls where the flower-laden stems can trail down beautifully.

5. Catharanthus 'Soirée® Kawaii' Series

If you are looking for something truly unique and utterly charming, the 'Soirée® Kawaii' series is for you. This variety has a completely different look and texture from the classic, bold-flowered periwinkle. The word "Kawaii" means "cute" in Japanese, and it is the perfect description for these delightful plants. Instead of large, single flowers, this series produces a massive number of tiny, micro-flowers, creating a delicate, almost wildflower-like appearance.

The plant grows into a dense, mounded shape, and from a distance, it looks like a soft, colourful cushion. The tiny flowers, in playful bicolour patterns like 'Pink Peppermint' and 'White Peppermint', invite you to look closer. 

Despite their delicate appearance, these plants are just as tough and heat-tolerant as their larger-flowered relatives. This series is ideal for crafting unique container arrangements, adding a fun and intricate texture to balcony pots, and for anyone who appreciates the beauty of small, detailed flowers.

6. Catharanthus 'Titan™' Series

For big, bold colour that can stand up to the most challenging sunny and dry conditions, the 'Titan™' series is an excellent choice. As its powerful name suggests, these plants are bred to be robust, vigorous, and exceptionally resilient. 

They were specifically developed for superior garden performance, maintaining their beautiful form and flower power even in intense heat. The plants grow in a strong, upright, and well-branched habit, creating a solid block of colour.

The flowers of the Titan™ series are its main selling point. They are impressively large, often reaching 5cm across, with broad, overlapping petals that give them a full and rounded look. The colours are clear and deeply saturated, available in stunning shades like deep burgundy, rich lilac, pure white, and vibrant apricot. 

This series is perfect for creating a high-impact display in garden beds or large patio pots where you need reliable, low-maintenance colour that will not fail you in the Singapore sun.

7. Catharanthus 'Peppermint Cooler'

This is a classic and hugely popular variety for a very good reason. Its crisp, clean, and cheerful look is refreshing and eye-catching in any setting. It embodies the simple charm of the periwinkle flower but with a colour combination that feels both timeless and modern. 

The 'Peppermint Cooler' features brilliant, pure white petals that provide the perfect canvas for a striking red or bright pink eye in the centre. This sharp contrast makes the flowers incredibly vibrant and noticeable from a distance.

This variety grows in a neat, mounded habit, staying relatively compact and covered in blooms. It is perfect for creating a fresh, clean look in pots and garden beds. Its classic colour scheme makes it incredibly easy to pair with other plants—it looks fantastic next to plants with silver or dark-coloured foliage. 

For a simple yet stunning display, a row of 'Peppermint Cooler' periwinkles in a window box provides a bright and welcoming accent to any home.

How to Care for Your Periwinkles in Singapore

While periwinkles are known for being low-maintenance. But you still have to give proper flower care to them. By providing the right conditions will ensure they thrive and produce the best possible display.

Choosing the Right Pot and Soil

For both Vinca and Catharanthus, good drainage is the most critical factor. Choose pots with plenty of drainage holes. In Singapore's rainy climate, soil can become waterlogged easily, which leads to root rot. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. You can improve drainage further by adding materials like perlite, pumice, or sand to your mix. This creates air pockets in the soil, keeping the roots healthy.

Watering Wisely in the Tropics

Overwatering is a more common problem than underwatering for these plants. It is best to use the "soak and dry" method. Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then wait for the top few centimetres of the soil to feel dry to the touch before watering again. During the monsoon season, you will need to water far less frequently. Catharanthus, in particular, is quite drought-tolerant and prefers to be kept on the drier side.

Feeding Your Periwinkles

To support continuous flowering, especially for the hardworking Catharanthus, regular feeding is beneficial. You can use a balanced, slow-release granular fertiliser every few months. Alternatively, you can feed them with a liquid fertiliser diluted to half-strength every two to four weeks during their active growing periods. Avoid over-fertilising, which can lead to lush leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning and Maintenance

True periwinkles (Vinca) may need an annual trim to keep their spreading habit in check and prevent them from becoming untidy. For Madagascar Periwinkles (Catharanthus), you can pinch back the stems when the plants are young to encourage a bushier, fuller shape. If a plant becomes tall and "leggy" with few leaves at the base, do not be afraid to cut it back by about a third to encourage fresh, compact growth.

Conclusion On The Types of Periwinkle Flowers

From the resilient, shade-loving carpets of Vinca minor to the vibrant, sun-soaked blooms of Catharanthus roseus, the world of periwinkles offers a wonderful variety of choices for every Singaporean home. By understanding the key differences between the trailing true periwinkles and the upright tropical varieties, you can confidently select the perfect plant to match your space and needs. 

Whether you seek a lush ground cover, a cascading basket of colour, or a simple pot of cheerful flowers, there is a periwinkle that will bring you continuous joy. 

For expertly curated floral arrangements and bouquets, you can always rely on the deep knowledge and artistry of Singapore Florist. 

Contact us today to bring more beauty into your life.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Types of Periwinkle Flowers

What Are the Two Types of Periwinkle?

The two main types commonly called periwinkle belong to different plant groups. The first is Vinca (like Vinca minor and Vinca major), which is a true periwinkle with a trailing, vining habit ideal for ground cover. The second is Catharanthus roseus, or the Madagascar Periwinkle, which is an upright, bushy plant that loves sun and heat.

What Is the Most Common Periwinkle?

While Vinca minor is very common in temperate climates, the most common periwinkle you will see in Singapore is the Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). Its exceptional tolerance for our tropical heat and humidity makes it a popular choice for parks, public landscaping, and home gardens.

Is Periwinkle a Vinca?

This can be confusing. The name "Vinca" is the botanical name for the genus of true periwinkles. The Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) was once named Vinca rosea, which is why it is still often called vinca. However, botanists have since reclassified it into its own genus, Catharanthus. So, while some periwinkles are Vincas, not all are.

What Is the Prettiest Vinca?

Beauty is subjective and depends on what you are looking for. For stunning foliage, Vinca minor 'Illumination' is a top choice with its bright yellow and green leaves. For beautiful flowers in a hanging basket, the Catharanthus 'Cora Cascade' series is spectacular. For a unique and delicate look, the Catharanthus 'Soiree Kawaii' series, with its masses of tiny flowers, is considered very pretty.

How Many Colours of Periwinkle Are There?

The traditional true periwinkles (Vinca) are mostly found in shades of blue-violet, purple, and white. However, the Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus) has been bred into an extensive palette of colours, including white, every shade of pink from soft to brilliant magenta, reds, corals, apricots, lavender, and many bicolour varieties that have a contrasting central eye.

Is Periwinkle a Good Ground Cover?

Yes, the true periwinkles, Vinca minor and Vinca major, are excellent evergreen ground covers. They spread to form a dense mat of foliage that effectively suppresses weeds and covers bare soil, especially in shady areas where other plants might struggle. Certain spreading varieties of Catharanthus, like the 'Cora Cascade' series, can also be used as a colourful, seasonal ground cover in sunny locations.