Lesser periwinkle

Biology

The lesser periwinkle is probably the most popular evergreen plant used in groundcover, forming a dense carpet of shiny dark green leaves, filled with bright blue flowers in spring. This plant is very tolerant of low light and dry environments, however, when exposed to a great intensity of sunlight, the leaves may scorch. It has medicinal properties, especially for memory loss.

Curiosities

In the second century, it was used to fight devil diseases; in the Middle Ages, the periwinkle was considered the plant of poets and sorcerers, who recommended its contemplation to calm eyestrain and improve memory. Even today in some villages of England and Ireland, where it is known as devil's joy, a periwinkle branch is hanged for good luck and to ward off the evil eye.