Myrtle. Vinca major, Dogbane Family: ( Apocynaceae ), Myrtle. Also called: Large Periwinkle, Big Periwinkle. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Myrtle or Big Periwinkle is a fast growing herbaceous perennial groundcover with evergreen foliage and interesting blue flowers. It has become invasive in higher elevations. We are including it among our Arizona Wildflowers because it is invasive and is found taking over riparian areas in Arizona. The stems of Myrtle can reach about 12 inches in height, but they then fall over and spread indefinitely, rooting at the nodes as they cover the ground with shiny dark green foliage. They have blue-violet, funnel shaped with five petals and about 2 inches across. Big periwinkle blooms in the spring and sporadically throughout the summer. Vinca major is invasive in riparian (streambank) areas in Arizona and other Western US states. It displaces native species, it is also a host for many insect pests including the blue-green and glassy-winged sharpshooters, which carry Peirce's disease, a pathogen of vineyards and orchards. Quick Notes: Height: Evergreen growing to about 12 inches tall and 60 inches wide. Flowers: The flowers are in leaf axils with 2 - 3 inche long funnel-shaped purple or blue flowers. Flowering Time: Mid March - November. Leaves: Pairs opposite each other along the stems; they are 2 - 3 inches long and oval or heart shaped. Found: Native to France and Italy, and eastward through the Balkans to northern Asia Minor and the western Caucasus. Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 �C (-40 �F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 �C (-35 �F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 0 - 7,500 Feet. Habitat: Alkaline, well-drained/light soils. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photo Taken: April 24, 2009. Yarnell, Arizona. Shrine Of Saint Joseph. If used for xeriscape, be careful, as it is invasive.

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