Periwinkle (Vinca Rosea Dwarf Little Mix) - This fabulous performer for the hot summer garden is grown from Periwinkle seeds. For hot southern, desert climates or a hard to maintain spot near a concrete wall or driveway, Vinca Periwinkle is your ground cover plant! It seems to perform the best when other plants are wilting from the heat.

This annual begins blooming extra-early with big flowers in dazzling colors, and it continues right up until fall frosts. The mix of blooms are 2 inches across and the colors range from white to deep rose with tones in-between. The blooms have a large center eye with a contrasting color and are just gorgeous. The foliage is uniform and neat with shiny leaves. Periwinkle uses include: edging the front of the bed or border, baskets, containers and an excellent ground cover plant.

Grow Vinca Rosea seeds indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last frost is expected. Cover the flower seeds with 1/4 inch of potting mix, spray with water to moisten and press down lightly. These ground cover seeds will not germinate in any sort of light, so cover trays or containers with a black plastic sheet or a newspaper. Lift the plastic or newspaper regularly to moisten by misting. Once the seedlings emerge, they need bright light. At about 2 - 3 inches tall, transplant the strongest plants into individual pots. The Periwinkle plant can be moved outside once the temperature is consistently above 65F degrees. Directly sowing Vinca seeds is not recommended, but if you choose to direct sow, follow the same steps as above. Wait until danger of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently warm, and prepare the soil well so that it is light and fine.