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Common periwinkle and Bunchberry: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Common periwinkle Vinca minor	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Bunchberry Cornus canadensis
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Native range
Europe to the Caucasus	Russian Far East to Japan, Subarctic America to N. & Central U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Sun to part or dappled shade	Shade
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates some dryness	Average moisture
Mature height
3–6 in	6–12 in
Mature spread
6–18 in; stems root and spread farther	6–12 in
USDA hardiness zones
4–9	2–6
Season of interest
Spring–summer flowers; evergreen foliage	Spring–Summer
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract bumblebees.	Small native flowers feed pollinators, and red berries provide food for birds.
Growing notes
Trailing stems root where they touch soil and can form dense, spreading mats.	Needs a cool, moist woodland setting; struggles with hot summers and does not tolerate foot traffic.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.