This exotic-looking charming
blue flower belongs to the variegated form of the Greater Periwinkle,
Vinca major. I have found this to be a plant which complements
and harmonises exceptionally well with the exotic style of gardening.
It is, of course, a tough hardy mini-shrub well-known even in vicious
climates. It has quite beautiful flowers and has on many occasions been
mistaken by quite capable gardeners for some sort of exotic gem. This
is perhaps not surprising because, although few people are aware of it,
Periwinkle belongs to the family Apocynaceae which also contains
such tender exotics as Mandevilla, Catharanthus and
Allamanda - to name but three. As with the Lesser Periwinkle,
the variegated forms are less invasive than the type which, in any case,
lacks the charm of the former. In the garden I let it get on with its
own business wherever it sees fit and restrain it only very occasionally.
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