Conflict would likely erupt from any discourse between the city mouse and the country mouse regarding the topic of periwinkle, Vinca major. In rural areas, periwinkle can aggressively invade any area that stays even slightly damp through summer; and it is nearly impossible to eradicate. In urban areas, periwinkle can be a useful and appealing ground cover for difficult situations. It clings to steep embankments, and ventures into shade that is too dark for other ground covers.

Periwinkle can mound up to more than a foot and a half deep with wiry stems and rich green leaves about two and a half inches long. It looks neater and stays lower if shorn or mown down just before new growth develops at the end of winter. Two inch wide sky blue periwinkle flowers bloom mostly as new growth develops through spring, and can bloom sporadically through the end of autumn. ‘Variegata’, with wide white leaf margins, brightens up urns or planters of mixed ferns, and also looks good cascading from planters of mixed annuals or perennials.