{"product_id":"vinca-minor-darts-blue","title":"Vinca minor 'Darts Blue'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDart's Blue Periwinkle \/ Dwarf Periwinkle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eVinca minor \u003c\/em\u003e'Darts Blue'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily: \u003c\/strong\u003eApocynaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eEurope \u0026amp; Western Asia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shade-loving classic for Adelaide gardens, ‘Dart’s Blue’ forms a neat, weed-suppressing carpet that threads elegantly between shrubs and under trees. Glossy leaves stay fresh year-round while periwinkle-blue, starry blooms appear in late winter–spring, with spot flowers through the warmer months if watered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–15 cm H × 60–100+ cm W (spreads via slender runners)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15-30 cm per year (runners) under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, glossy, ovate leaves; dense, evergreen mat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers: \u003c\/strong\u003ePeriwinkle-blue, 3–4 cm blooms mainly late winter–spring, then intermittently to autumn with irrigation\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen texture year-round; early-season colour when gardens are quiet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good for pollinators (bees \u0026amp; beneficials visit the nectar)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought \u0026amp; heat tolerant once established (in shade\/part shade); light frost hardy; copes with coastal wind if soil drains; avoid waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass: 6–9 plants\/m² for quick cover (4–6\/m² for economy) • Edging\/between pavers: ~3 plants per linear metre\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e No — considered toxic if eaten (contains vinca alkaloids). Discourage chewing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to shade (morning sun\/filtered light ideal); tolerates full sun in cool seasons if soil doesn’t bake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained loam or sandy loam; thrives with organic mulch; adapts to improved clay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (more in heatwaves\/containers); rarely in winter if dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim runners after flowering to contain edges; shear lightly in late winter to refresh; top-dress with compost\/mulch annually; edge barriers help keep it where you want it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10-20+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acidic to mildly alkaline; happy on Adelaide limestone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderplant trees and shrubs (camellias, viburnums, olives) where turf struggles; keeps a clean, green floor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeed-suppressing carpet on slopes and difficult side passages; combine with lomandra or westringia for layered texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThread between pavers or stepping stones for a cottage\/European look; also excellent in pots \u0026amp; troughs as a trailing spillover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShade courtyard softener: pairs with hellebore, clivia or heuchera to brighten low-light corners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tidy, evergreen carpet that thrives in the tricky, dry shade spots and brings months of blue bloom just when you need it. It’s low-maintenance, weed-suppressing and water-wise, giving Adelaide gardens a polished, European finish with minimal effort.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":47355965866236,"sku":"VINC-MINO-DART-BLUE-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/vinca-minor-darts-blue-periwinkle-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1767683266","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/vinca-minor-darts-blue","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}