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Bowles' Common Periwinkle

Vinca minor ‘Bowles’s

A vigorous evergreen ground cover with profuse, large, violet-blue flowers and glossy dark green foliage, perfect for slopes and shade.

$49.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Vinca minor 'Bowles' (often spelled 'Bowles's') is a superior, vigorous evergreen ground cover prized for its profuse, large, violet-blue flowers and dense, glossy foliage. This classic selection of the common periwinkle forms a lush, weed-suppressing mat of small, oval to lance-shaped, dark green, leathery leaves on long, trailing, rooting stems. From early to late spring, with sporadic blooming into summer and fall, it produces an abundance of large, five-petaled, pinwheel-shaped flowers in a rich, deep violet-blue, creating a brilliant, carpet-like display that attracts bees and other pollinators. Exceptionally adaptable, drought-tolerant once established, and deer resistant, it is an outstanding choice for erosion control on slopes, ground cover under trees, rock gardens, foundation plantings, and containers.

Nursery Plant Sizes Explained

Victory Nursery · Plant Size Guide

Plant Sizes

Find the right starting size without reading a nursery textbook. Compare the common sizes, then see what is available for the plant you want.

Landscape Containers Indoor Pots Box Trees Local Delivery

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Most Popular Sizes

These four sizes cover many common residential landscape and mature-tree projects.

Outdoor Plants

Landscape Containers

Smaller sizes favor quantity and value. Larger sizes give the landscape more presence sooner.

Mulflat Groundcovers View size → 1 Gallon Small starter View size → 2 Gallon Small landscape View size → 3 Gallon Established starter View size → Popular 5 Gallon Everyday landscape View size → 7 Gallon Medium landscape View size → 10 Gallon More established View size → Most Popular 15 Gallon Strong starting presence View size → 20 Gallon Large landscape View size → 24 Gallon Large mature container View size →

Mature Trees

Box Tree Sizes

More years at the nursery. More size on delivery. Less waiting for the landscape to look established.

24" Mature Starting Size A major step up from smaller landscape containers. View 24" Box → 30" Larger Presence More scale between 24" and 36" box sizes. View 30" Box → 36" Large Specimen Substantial trees with heavier handling needs. View 36" Box → 48" Major Specimen Large-project scale with planned delivery and placement. View 48" Box →

Indoor & Decorative

Inch Pot Sizes

The inch size refers to the nursery pot, not the plant height.

4"

Indoor Starter

16"

Floor Plant

Quick Decision

Choose by Your Goal

01

More Plants

Start around 1–5 Gallon

Good for larger planting quantities when you have time for plants to fill in.

02

Faster Privacy

Compare 5–15 Gallon

A practical range for balancing coverage, handling and cost.

03

Immediate Impact

Start with 24" Box+

More established material when the landscape needs presence now.

Container size ≠ exact plant height

Height, canopy and fullness vary by species, variety, season and current nursery inventory.

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Send us the plant name, quantity, ZIP code and the result you want. We can help narrow down the practical options.

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Plant sizes shown here are nursery container categories and planning references. Actual plant dimensions, form and availability vary by variety and current inventory.

Foliage & Flowers: Small, oval to lance-shaped, glossy, dark green, leathery leaves (broadest near middle, rounded to wedge-shaped base); large, five-petaled, pinwheel-shaped, rich violet-blue flowers, blooming profusely in early to late spring with sporadic rebloom .
Mature Height: 4-6 inches
Mature Spread: Indefinite (spreading by trailing, rooting stems)
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 4-9
Light Requirement: Full sun to full shade (best flowering in sun; tolerates deep shade)
Core Benefits: Profuse large violet-blue flowers, dense evergreen ground cover, drought tolerant once established, deer resistant, erosion control, shade tolerant.
Best Uses: Ground cover, erosion control on slopes, under trees, rock gardens, foundation plantings, containers, hanging baskets.

Q: How is 'Bowles' different from the species Vinca minor?
A: 'Bowles' is selected for its larger flowers, more profuse blooming, and superior vigor compared to the standard species. It is one of the most popular and reliable Vinca cultivars.

Q: How large does it get?
A: It is a low-growing, spreading ground cover, reaching only 4-6 inches in height but spreading indefinitely by trailing, rooting stems.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It is highly adaptable, thriving in full sun to full shade. For the most abundant flowering, plant in full sun. In hot summer climates, it appreciates afternoon shade.

Q: Is it evergreen?
A: Yes, it is evergreen in most climates, retaining its glossy, dark green leaves year-round.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Once established, it is drought tolerant, though it prefers evenly moist soil for best performance. It is an excellent choice for dry shade.

Q: Is it invasive?
A: While it spreads vigorously by trailing, rooting stems, Vinca minor is generally less aggressive than Vinca major and is considered manageable in most garden settings. However, it can naturalize in some regions; check local guidelines.