Periwinkle

Our Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is in full bloom on the bank behind the house. It makes a great groundcover for spots where you don't want grass, and it requires very little weeding (although we could stand to go clean some dead leaves out of it). It has the added advantage of being readily available and, if you know where to look, free. Historically, Periwinkle has been planted in cemeteries in this area. It also is naturalized and invasive, meaning it is prone to wandering away from the cemetery on its own. We have woodland on three sides of our local cemetery, where we are welcome to collect plants to fill in any bare spots in our groundcover. The plants spread vegetatively, sending out runners that put down roots as they go along. We collect them after a rainfall by pulling up handsfull and placing them in a plastic garbage bag. They can be transplanted by simply pushing the rooted stems into the ground. They are hearty and survival is very high. And they spread quickly, even in what passes for soil where we live.