There are three plants commonly known as vinca. One is botanically known as Vinca minor. Its other common name is periwinkle. It’s a shade-loving ground cover that has purple, blue, or white flowers. It’s hardy in Zones 4-9. A close relative of this plant is large periwinkle (Vinca major). Usually grown as an annual in cool-climate areas, this plant produces similar flowers and has a creeping or trailing habit. Its variegated form is grown as a trailing plant in container gardens and window boxes. It’s hardy in Zones 7-11. The type you saw at the garden center is another relative. Its botanical name is Catharanthus roseus; it’s an upright-growing tender perennial that’s grown as an annual. This vinca produces white, pink, red, or lavender flowers in summer.
