Would vinca minor over take Foxgloves if I planted in between ?

Question

would like to have something underneath the area I have planted Foxgloves and something evergreen too.

would vinca minor be too much for the Foxgloves you think?

what else could you recommend?

Thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

they shouldnt. keep them cut. they will take a year or so before they begin to cover the area.

i think the nicest vine is the vinca vine variegated. it flowers all year in warm climates and temperate climates. it flowers in the 40s sometimes and in the spring flowers cover the plant. if their is no die back and temps are above about 10 degrees flowers will appear and last till june. sometimes you see one or two in the summer and again in the fall.

Answer 2

Once this plant becomes established it will most certainly suppress Foxgloves (digitalis [?]

Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) is a plant native to central and southern Europe, from Portugal and France north to the Netherlands and the Baltic States, and east to the Caucasus, and also in southwestern Asia in Turkey.

It is a trailing subshrub, spreading along the ground and rooting along the stems to form large clonal colonies and occasionally scrambling up to 40 cm high but never twining or climbing. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 2-4.5 cm long and 1-2.5 cm broad, glossy dark green with a leathery texture and an entire margin. The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils and are produced mainly from early spring to mid summer but with a few flowers still produced into the autumn; they are violet-purple (pale purple or white in some cultivated selections), 2-3 cm diameter, with a five-lobed corolla. The fruit is a pair of follicles 2.5 cm long, containing numerous seeds.

The closely related species Vinca major is similar but larger in all parts, and also has relatively broader leaves with a hairy margin.

[edit] Cultivation and uses



Ground cover with dense growthThe species is commonly grown as a groundcover in temperate gardens for its evergreen foliage, spring and summer flowers, ease of culture, and dense habit that smothers most weeds. The species has few pests or diseases outside it native range and is widely naturalised and classified as an invasive species in parts of North America

Answer 3

It partly depends on whether you have perennial or biennial foxgloves.  Most foxgloves grown are Digitalis purpurea, which grows from seed one year and flowers the next, and then dies.  It readily sets seeds, and I have Vinca minor around my trees, coupled with foxgloves, and the foxgloves seed and grow quite readily.  I occasionally remove some of the Vinca, as it is invasive and will smother an area quite well.

As an alternative to the Vinca, you could try some Heucheras, which are good in the shade, with some varieties liking sun, such as the creme brulee variety, which has gorgeous yellow, bronze foliage and flowers in summer.  Another plant to consider would be brunnera  macrophylla 'Jack Frost'  I'm not sure exactly what situation have you have for your foxgloves,  but this variegated plant is good for shade to sunny areas, and is really pretty, with forget me not type flowers -   http://shop.wwgreenhouses.com/shop_peren...

Lastly, although not evergreen, which is my preference,  I'd also add some spring bulbs, for flowering interest, which could include some daffodils, which divide really well.

Hope this helps.   Good luck!  Rob

Answer 4

Eventually Vinca minor forms a dense mat and will overwhelm your Foxglove plants.  If you are careful to cut back and keep the area open, it may work.  Maybe something like Iberis would  be better- it does form large mounds, but it's probably easier to control.

Answer 5

i dont think vinca minor will overtake the foxgloves but maybe try Helleborus (christmas rose) flowers early spring