In today’s article by Gardenprue we are going to talk about a very European botanical species. It is about Vinca minor . This is its scientific name although it is also known as Vinca, Herb doncella, Dominicana or Violeta de asno among others. It is a species that is usually cultivated as a garden hedge so it has many applications. Let’s get to know it in depth.

GROWING VINCA MINOR IN THE GARDEN

We begin by knowing a little more about this curious plant that is distributed practically throughout Europe. We can qualify it as a subshrub , which would be a middle ground between shrub and herbaceous. This is because Vinca minor does not usually grow beyond 20-30 cm, although on some occasions we can see it climbing, but always from some external support.

As we have mentioned in a superficial way, the use is ornamental and is used as a cover for gardens and parks. It is practically planted so as not to leave the land bare, and because it has a pleasant spring flowering that lasts throughout the summer and, above all, for its ease of cultivation. Let’s see it right now.

HOW DOES THE WEATHER AFFECT VINCA MINOR ?

Maiden grass is not demanding when it comes to temperatures, although untimely frosts can affect its leaves (it will be noticeable by a change in color). In summary, in terms of climate you will not have any problem because it adapts perfectly to both the Mediterranean and the continental, avoiding, of course, intense cold.

SUBSTRATE OR SOIL CHARACTERISTICS 

A Vinca minor it is either a well – drained soil with neutral pH (with slight variations). As for the texture of the soil it can be either sandy or loamy or one half of these two types. If it is clayey, nothing will happen either (perhaps the drainage worsens a bit but there are many more variables), simply the other types of soil are more suitable.

IRRIGATION AND SUBSCRIBER

Regarding irrigation , Vinca minor tolerates dry seasons quite well but is also highly dependent on the climate. In summer, it is very bad if it is not watered in days, especially if it is in the sunny area. During the summer season it is necessary to water every 2 or 3 days to keep the soil moist. In winter watering will be reduced much more, even closing it if the rain accompanies.

Speaking of the subscriber , he appreciates the contributions of organic matter such as manure or compost, but you don’t have to go overboard either. For example, after the summer we can make a contribution that we will repeat in the spring, and little else. Above all, it is important in the flowering season, where it needs the most nutritional requirements.

VINCA MINOR MULTIPLICATION

We turn to a very important part within plants of this type, their multiplication. With Vinca minor you will not have any problem since it is quite “colonizing” and expands easily, as we discussed in its day with mint.  Therefore, the division can be done by bushes, which we will be careful to remove from the ground.

Another thing that is also important to mention that is linked to multiplication but rather belongs to pruning is that, in spring, if we see that Vican minor is growing too much we can prune it. With this we will achieve greater cleaning and oxygenation (thus avoiding the proliferation of pests and diseases), on the other hand we will have to water and fertilize with less intensity, and finally, we will reactivate the formation of new shoots.

PLAGUES AND DISEASES

You are right. It seems that both pests and diseases do not make much distinction and attack what is put in front of them. In the specific case of Vinca minor, we are going to distinguish both pests and diseases.

Pests

• Aphid

Diseases

• Powdery mildew
• Roya
• Virosis
• Root rot (Rhizoctonia)

To treat the pests of Vican minor you can see our article on ecological insecticides ,  and in the case of diseases, we also have an article on ecological fungicides .

 WHAT IS VINCAMINE?

We couldn’t leave without referring to the vincamine. Maiden grass is capable of producing this alkaloid drug (14,15-Dihydro-14-hydroxyeburnamenin-14-carboxylic acid). It is used in medicine as a cerebral oxygenator,  as we told you.  

It is used for some problems derived from circulation, but with the advantage that vincamine only acts at the cerebral level and not at the general level of circulation. It is used in severe headaches, memory problems, circulatory failure, ischemic syndromes, etc.

However, even if it comes from plants and is considered “natural”, it is a pharmacological compound , so it is subject to the approval of the specialist doctor.

What was said. If you want a carpet species that consumes very little water (Vinca is perfectly indicated for Mediterranean gardens)