Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert'

Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' – A Distinctive and Variegated Periwinkle

Discover the unique charm of Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', a standout cultivar of the common periwinkle, noted for its beautifully variegated foliage and vibrant blooms. This groundcover is an excellent choice for adding visual interest to the garden with its decorative leaves and robust growth habit, making it ideal for covering large areas or brightening shaded spots.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Grows to about 15-20 cm in height, forming a low, dense carpet that effectively covers and beautifies bare soil.
• Spread: Extends outwards up to 60-90 cm, creating a lush mat that helps suppress weeds and stabilize the soil.
• Leaf Colour: Features striking leaves with deep green centers and bold creamy-white margins, offering a vivid contrast that enhances any garden palette.
• Flowering Period: Produces vibrant, deep blue flowers in early spring, which continue to appear intermittently through fall, providing long-lasting color.
• Foliage: The variegated leaves are evergreen, maintaining their eye-catching appearance throughout all seasons, adding persistent charm to the garden.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers partial to full shade, thriving under the canopy of trees or in other shaded garden spots, though it can also adapt to areas with more sunlight.
• Soil Requirements: Grows best in well-drained, moist soils but is remarkably adaptable to various soil conditions, including dry shade once established.

Uses and Benefits: Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is particularly effective for ground coverage in woodland gardens, as underplanting for taller shrubs, or in shaded border areas where other plants might struggle. Its vigorous growth and dense matting are excellent for controlling erosion on slopes and its variegated foliage brings light and depth to darker garden areas. Additionally, the plant's flowers attract pollinators, enriching the biodiversity of the garden.

Companion Plants: Create a lush, multi-textured landscape by pairing 'Ralph Shugert' with other shade-tolerant plants:

• Hostas: Their broad, colorful leaves contrast beautifully with the fine, variegated texture of Vinca.
• Ferns: Add elegance with their graceful fronds, enhancing the woodland feel.
• Astilbes: Offer vertical interest and fluffy blooms that stand out against the low-lying carpet of Vinca.

Care Instructions: Plant in a location that receives appropriate amounts of shade and has good soil drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, 'Ralph Shugert' is quite drought-tolerant and requires minimal care. Pruning can be done in early spring to control its spread and maintain vigor.

History: Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is named after the American horticulturist who selected it for its distinctive variegated foliage and overall garden performance. It is a relatively recent introduction compared to other Vinca cultivars but has quickly gained popularity for its decorative qualities and robustness.

Final Thoughts: Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert' is a superb choice for gardeners looking for a groundcover that combines functionality with ornamental appeal. Its striking variegated foliage, coupled with its vibrant blooms, provides visual interest throughout the year, making it an essential addition to any shade or woodland garden. Whether used to stabilize a slope, fill in under tree canopies, or accentuate a garden path, 'Ralph Shugert' delivers both beauty and practicality to diverse landscaping projects.