Greater periwinkle vs Wintercreeper

Greater periwinkle and Wintercreeper are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Greater periwinkle

Vinca major 45 cm × 1.5 m after 10 years

A glossy-leaved evergreen ground cover that quickly covers large areas with long arching stems that root where they touch the soil, and bears large…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 9.90

Wintercreeper

Euonymus fortunei 80 cm × 1.5 m after 10 years

An evergreen, ground-covering small shrub that forms a dense carpet in sun or shade, and the variegated forms keep their colour through winter. Next…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 19

Key differences

Wintercreeper grows larger: 80 cm × 1.5 m after ten years, against 45 cm × 1.5 m for Greater periwinkle (an estimate: sources differ).
Wintercreeper is hardier: down to -29 °C, against -18 °C for Greater periwinkle.
Wintercreeper needs less care than Greater periwinkle.
Greater periwinkle is cheaper: about PLN 9.90 at the size usually planted, against about PLN 19 for Wintercreeper.

Which one to choose?

Greater periwinkle is the better choice if space is tight or price matters.

Wintercreeper is the better choice if the garden is cold or a frost pocket or you have little time for care.

Watch out for

Greater periwinkle

Winter hardiness is its weak point in Central Europe: it is reliable down to roughly -15 to -18 °C, and in colder, snowless, windy winters the foliage scorches and the stems may die back, with variegated forms being more tender still. It usually resprouts from the base, but in cold sites and frost pockets lesser periwinkle is the better choice. In mild, sheltered gardens, on the other hand, it spreads too well, with rooting stems running into neighbouring beds and lawn, so cut it back every year and do not dump the trimmings outside the garden. Leaf spot, rust and aphids can occur, and root rot in waterlogged soil.

Wintercreeper

Euonymus scale is a serious pest, infested shoots weaken and can die back. Powdery mildew and leaf spot also occur, and the leaves can scorch in harsh, windy winters. In Central Europe it can escape from gardens and establish along woodland edges, so never dump the clippings in the wild.

The data side by side

Feature	Greater periwinkle	Wintercreeper
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	45 cm × 1.5 m (uncertain)	80 cm × 1.5 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	15–45 cm × 0.6–2.5 m (uncertain)	0.6–6 m × 1.5–2.5 m (uncertain)
Growth rate	Fast	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	High (uncertain)	no data
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, blue, purple	June–July, green
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Low
Planting distance	40 cm	50 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic (uncertain)	Mildly toxic
Typical price	approx. PLN 9.90	approx. PLN 19

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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