Periwinkle Vinca major
Periwinkle is an evergreen creeper which can grow to 50 cm tall which develops a stem 1-2 m long. It produces blue or mauve flowers in spring to early summer. Periwinkle grows in a variety of
locations and will tolerate most conditions. It is generally spread
inadvertently by humans when it outgrows the garden or is illegally
dumped as garden waste. Stem fragments will root from nodes and spreads to form dense mats, often covering several square
meters.
Periwinkle completely covers the ground which excludes and can
smother indigenous vegetation. Periwinkle is poisonous to livestock.
Control Methods
A range of strategies is needed to minimise the impacts of periwinkle on biodiversity and to prevent it from spreading. In regions where numerous infestations exist, areas of high biodiversity significance are the priorit.
In selecting the most suitable control techniques it is essential to minimise adverse impacts on native vegetation and waterways and to encourage subsequent recovery. Physical and chemical control measures may be combined to remove patches of periwinkle effectively. All treatment needs to be followed up and may need to be repeated. There are no known biological control agents for this species in Australia.
More detailed information can be found here.
Nicer natives
Native Lilac Hardenbergia violacea is an attractive climber or shrub with trailing and twining stems. It has dark green leaves, clumps of bright purple pea flowers in winter.
Uses: climber, small shrub, feature pot plant. Sheltered positions.
Old Man’s Beard Clematis decipiens (formerly C. microphylla)
This climber can reach several meters with support, or plant as
groundcover. Masses of pale green/white flowers, winter to early
spring. Female flowers turn to fluffy seeds, late spring.
Prune annually. Well-drained soils.