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Periwinkle

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Periwinkle has established itself on southern Vancouver Island and is now easy to find as far north as Campbell river. Periwinkle came to Vancouver Island as a garden ornamental. But quickly escaped to the wild.

Bright blue or violet flowers, dark leaves and the plants ability to grow in shade make it attractive in the garden.

It was first introduced to North America in the 1700s from Eurasia and is now found all over southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands to the Lower Mainland.  It can still be purchased as a ground cover at local garden supply stores.

 Periwinkle has the ability to pioneer new areas with unintentional human help. Mostly from dumped garden waste. The plant has also been used medicinally and has been cultivated to create teas or pastes.

 The loss of native tree and plant species on stream banks where Periwinkle grows can lead to erosion, as well as the loss of the native biodiversity.

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