Big Periwinkle

With shiny, thick leaves and lavender flowers, big periwinkle (Vinca major) is a beautiful plant. But don't let that fool you- it's an invasive species in California. First introduced for ornamental and medicinal purposes, big periwinkle escaped garden landscaping and is now invasive in many climates, including coastal Berkeley. It spreads rapidly, especially in creek areas, forming a thick ground cover and choking out native plants. It can even alter local hydrology! Help prevent invasive species from spreading by choosing native plants for your garden. A better alternative to big periwinkle would be the native Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), which also has lovely purple flowers.