Wojo's Gem Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major 'Wojo's Gem')
VIN-kah MAY-jor 'Wojo's Gem'

Deciduous Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Vine in the Apocynaceae Family

'Wojo's Gem' is a patented (US Plant Patent 11,809) greater periwinkle selection with glossy green leaves centered in creamy yellow and flecked at the margins with dark green, paired with lavender-blue flowers from April into June. A larger, more sprawling vine than lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor), it roots along its trailing stems to form a dense groundcover.

Pros

  • Striking gold-centered variegated foliage, a third distinct variegation pattern alongside this genus's 'Maculata' (center blotch) and 'Variegata' (margin) selections
  • Tolerates full sun to partial shade; drought tolerant once established
  • Deer resistant

Cons

  • A fast, aggressive spreader — Vinca major is documented as invasive in several warmer US states (confirmed by NC State Extension) and can escape cultivation into nearby natural areas; monitor and contain
  • Less reliably winter-hardy than Vinca minor: published zone ratings for this cultivar specifically (UK ratings equivalent to roughly zone 6a-6b) put the Chicago area (zone 5b-6a) at the cold edge of its range — expect dieback in harsh winters and treat it as a groundcover that may need replanting some years rather than a bulletproof perennial here
  • All parts contain vinca alkaloids and are mildly toxic if ingested by pets or people
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 12 inches tall. 12 - 24 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 7a - 9b (Usually hardy to 0° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Erosion Control, Evergreen, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Groundcover, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Spillers, Tender Perennial
Bloom Period April - June
Flower Color Violet-Blue
Foliage Color
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Wojo's Gem Greater Periwinkle, Plum Dandy Alternanthera, Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine, Purple Fountain Grass, Goldilocks Rocks Bidens, Superbells Double Amber Million Bells, Superbells Double Orange Million Bells, Patricia English Ivy, Proven Accents Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine, Graceful Grasses Purple Fountain Grass, Honey Supertunia, Supertunia Lovie Dovie Petunia,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/17
2024 : 02/08 - 05/18
2023 : 03/02 - 05/21

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!