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Landscaping with Myrtle: The Sorcerer's Violet

Image Credit:
Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli: Wikimedia Commons
Written By: George and Becky Lohmiller

Myrtle (Vinca spp.) is among the hardiest of evergreen ground covers, hardy to Zone 4 and growing as far north as Canada. It can be invasive in certain areas.

Myrtle, Also Called Vinca or Periwinkle

Its bright-green leaves darken with the season, sometimes taking on a bronze tone under the winter sun. Lavender-blue or white flowers appear in the spring and sporadically all season.

  • Spring and early fall are considered the best times to plant myrtle.
  • It prospers in dappled sunlight but will also grow in full sun and even in dense shade.
  • Use it instead of mulch under trees and shrubs to control weeds, or plant it in difficult-to-mow areas. Myrtle’s tenacious root system makes it an ideal choice for controlling erosion on steep banks.
  • Prepare the ground by tilling in a one-inch layer of peat moss or compost and an application of complete 5-10-5 fertilizer to a depth of six inches.
  • Space the young plants or divisions about eight inches apart. When you are finished, soak the entire planting, and mulch the area lightly with pine needles or bark.
  • Water and weed the planted area frequently during its first season. Soon new shoots will spread out and root into the spaces between the plants, spreading joy all over the ground.

Myrtle Folklore: The Sorcerer’s Violet

A thousand years ago, the sorcerer’s violet, what we now call periwinkle, vinca, or myrtle, was shrouded in superstition:

  • English herbalists believed that the trailing evergreen ground cover could be gathered only on the 1st, 9th, 11th, or 13th day of the Moon by a person cleansed of all impurities.
  • Those who carried the plant believed that they were protected from the devil and safe from the bites of rabid dogs and venomous serpents.
  • The Scots named this powerful plant joy-of-the-ground. They believed that marital bliss would be ensured if the leaves were ground to powder and taken at meals in a freshly picked houseleek that contained worms. (We have a hunch that a lot of Scottish couples endured unhappy marriages rather than brave the cure.)
Landscaping

About The Author

George and Becky Lohmiller

George and Becky Lohmiller

George and Becky Lohmiller shared their gardening knowledge and enthusiasm with Almanac readers for more than 15 years, writing Farmer’s Calendar essays and gardening articles in previous editions of ...

Read more from George and Becky Lohmiller

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Comments

<span>William Jweid</span> Sat, 08/30/2014 - 13:30
HI, I'VE GROWN UP WITH MYRTLE ALL MY LIFE. MY MOM HAD IT PLANTED ON THE BANKS OF OUR HOUSE AND IN AREAS OF THE GARDENS AS GROUND COVERS. I RECENTLY MADE THE GARDENS BIGGER AND TOOK DIVISIONS OF MYRTLE AND UNDERPLANTED A LARGE SECTION OF MY ROSE GARDEN THREE YEARS AGO. THE MYRTLE IS GROWING NICELY AND HAS ROOM TO SPREAD. MY QUESTION IS THIS: WILL THE MYRTLE KILL OFF MY ROSE SHRUBS (MOSTLY FLORIBUNDAS) 24" TALL VARIETY. THIS YEAR THE ROSES DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH GROWTH AS YEARS PAST. I DO FERTILIZE WITH ROSE FOOD REGULARLY.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 09/03/2014 - 08:11

Myrtle is a pretty, quickly growing ground cover, but it can become invasive and it can indeed smother other plants. It's best grown in a contained area.

 <span>Gene Cassady</span> Thu, 08/21/2014 - 20:51
I have a small yard surrounded by myrtle. I want the myrtle to spread and cover my yard. How do I get it to spreat over the grass area?
<span>Jeanne Baird</span> Sun, 08/03/2014 - 08:53
I live in Oklahoma City and I already have problems with Bermuda grass and Autumn Haze Clematis wanting to take over flower beds. If I plant myrtle under trees, will I have problems with myrtle taking over flower beds as well?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/04/2014 - 16:39

Myrtle does spread quickly which is what makes it a great ground cover. It can become invasive. 

 <span>Steve Krone</span> Sun, 07/20/2014 - 14:46
We have some established myrtle ground cover in our backyard. It is being overrun by creeping charlie from the neighbors yard. Any suggestions to get rid of the creeping charlie without harming the myrtle. Thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/21/2014 - 16:50

Hi, Steve: Unfortunately, this is a dicey and difficult problem. Eradicating ground ivy from a grass lawn is one thing, because you can really go after it with a number of measures (e.g., high grass height to shade it out), but trying to get rid of it and retain another intermixed desirable at the same time is almost impossible. The best way is hand weeding -- oh, and talking with the neighbor to see if they will collaborate on some barriers or uprooting for border security's sake. Good luck!

 <span>Brad J Grimes</span> Mon, 07/07/2014 - 17:25
Great info. question, I would like to transplant myrtle into a bed in August or should I wait till October Thanks Brad
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/08/2014 - 06:00

Hi Brad, The best time to transplant myrtle is between Labor Day and the end of October. Early next spring also is a good time.

 <span>Mark Nobescare</span> Thu, 05/22/2014 - 12:08
so i planted periwinkle on a hill that currently has grass. will it grow over and kill the grass (which is what i want). i also killed a section of the grass with Path Clear and planted the periwinkle. will that work just as well and how long before the whole hill is covered. its 42'x20'. i planted abount 30 cuttings.