Myrtle vs. Periwinkle — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
Myrtle typically refers to plants within genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis, known for their aromatic leaves and white flowers, while periwinkle is a common name for Vinca, a genus of flowering plants known for their glossy leaves and blue flowers.
Difference Between Myrtle and Periwinkle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Myrtle plants are part of the Myrtaceae family, characterized by their evergreen nature, aromatic leaves, and small, star-shaped white flowers. These plants are native to the Mediterranean region and are often used in gardens for their ornamental beauty and in culinary applications for their fragrant leaves. Whereas periwinkle, belonging to the Apocynaceae family, is noted for its trailing vines, glossy green leaves, and star-shaped flowers that come in shades of blue, violet, and sometimes white or pink. Periwinkle plants, including the common Vinca minor and Vinca major, are widely used as ground cover in gardens due to their hardy and spreading nature.
Myrtle has a rich history and symbolism, particularly in ancient cultures. It was associated with love and immortality in Greek and Roman mythology and has been used in wedding ceremonies. Myrtle prefers well-drained soil and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. On the other hand, periwinkle is valued not only for its decorative appearance but also for its medicinal properties, as parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine to treat various conditions. Periwinkle thrives in a range of conditions, from full sun to deep shade, making it a versatile plant for gardeners.
Myrtle is often cultivated as a bush or small tree and can be pruned into various shapes, making it popular for hedges and topiary gardens. Its berries are also used in some culinary dishes and traditional medicines. While periwinkle is primarily grown as a ground cover, its rapid growth and ability to spread make it effective for controlling erosion but also a potential invasive species in some regions.
Myrtle's significance extends into the cultural and religious spheres, being a symbol of love and peace in various traditions. It is also featured in some cosmetic and medicinal products due to its essential oils. Periwinkle, besides its horticultural and medicinal uses, contains alkaloids that have been researched for their potential in cancer treatment, notably vincristine and vinblastine, which are used in chemotherapy.
The care for myrtle involves regular watering, especially in dry periods, and pruning to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth. It may require protection in colder climates. Periwinkle is lower maintenance, adaptable to various soils, and resistant to many pests and diseases. It can become invasive due to its spreading habit, so management may involve controlling its spread in garden settings.
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Comparison Chart
Family
Myrtaceae
Apocynaceae
Native Region
Mediterranean region
Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia
Flower Color
White
Blue, violet, sometimes white or pink
Use
Ornamental, culinary, medicinal
Ground cover, ornamental, medicinal
Growth Habit
Bush or small tree
Trailing vines
Soil Preference
Well-drained
Adaptable, including poor soils
Sun Exposure
Full sun to partial shade
Full sun to deep shade
Symbolism
Love, immortality, peace
Eternal life, memory
Compare with Definitions
Myrtle
An aromatic evergreen plant with white flowers.
The garden was bordered with fragrant myrtle.
Periwinkle
Often used as ground cover due to its spreading nature.
They planted periwinkle to control soil erosion.
Myrtle
Requires well-drained soil and regular pruning.
Pruning the myrtle helped maintain its compact shape.
Periwinkle
A plant with glossy leaves and blue or violet flowers.
Periwinkle covered the shady areas of the garden.
Myrtle
Grows as a bush or small tree.
The myrtle tree by the window blooms beautifully every year.
Periwinkle
Contains medicinal alkaloids used in cancer treatment.
The periwinkle plant is researched for its anticancer properties.
Myrtle
Symbol of love and peace in various cultures.
They included myrtle in their wedding bouquet for good luck.
Periwinkle
Thrives in a wide range of light conditions.
Periwinkle can grow even in the deep shade under trees.
Myrtle
Used in culinary and medicinal products.
Myrtle leaves are sometimes used to flavor dishes.
Periwinkle
Low maintenance and resistant to pests.
Periwinkle is ideal for low-care garden areas.
Myrtle
Any of several evergreen shrubs or trees of the genus Myrtus, especially M. communis, an aromatic shrub native to the Mediterranean region, having white flowers and blue-black berries and widely cultivated as a hedge plant.
Periwinkle
An Old World plant with flat five-petalled, typically bluish flowers and glossy leaves. Some kinds are grown as ornamentals and some contain alkaloids used in medicine.
Myrtle
Any of several other evergreen shrubs or trees, such as the wax myrtle.
Periwinkle
Another term for winkle
Myrtle
The periwinkle Vinca minor.
Periwinkle
Any of various marine snails of the family Littorinidae, having thick, cone-shaped, whorled shells, especially Littorina littorea, an edible species of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Myrtle
An evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Myrtus, native to southern Europe and north Africa.
Periwinkle
The shell or the flesh of any of these snails.
Myrtle
Cyrilla spp.
Periwinkle
Any of several shrubby, trailing, evergreen plants of the genus Vinca, especially V. minor, having glossy, dark green, opposite leaves and flowers with a blue, funnel-shaped corolla.
Myrtle
A species of the genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate evergreen leaves. It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by black several-seeded berries. The ancients considered it sacred to Venus. The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment, and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.
Periwinkle
Any of several erect herbs of the genus Catharanthus, especially C. roseus, having flowers with a rose-pink or white salverform corolla and a closed throat.
Myrtle
Widely cultivated as a groundcover for its dark green shiny leaves and usually blue-violet flowers
Periwinkle
A pale purplish blue.
Myrtle
Any evergreen shrub or tree of the genus Myrtus
Periwinkle
Any of several evergreen plants of the genus Vinca with blue or white flowers.
Periwinkle
Similar plants of genus Catharanthus.
Periwinkle
A color with bluish and purplish hues, somewhat light.
Periwinkle
A mollusk of family Littorinidae.
Periwinkle
Of pale bluish purple colour.
Periwinkle
Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina. The common European species (Littorina littorea), in Europe extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized abundantly on the American coast. See Littorina.
Periwinkle
A trailing herb of the genus Vinca.
Periwinkle
Chiefly trailing poisonous plants with blue flowers
Periwinkle
Commonly cultivated Old World woody herb having large pinkish to red flowers
Periwinkle
Small edible marine snail; steamed in wine or baked
Periwinkle
Edible marine gastropod
Common Curiosities
Can myrtle survive frost?
Myrtle can be sensitive to frost. In colder climates, it may need protection or to be grown in pots that can be moved indoors.
What are the medicinal uses of periwinkle?
Periwinkle has been used in traditional medicine, and its alkaloids are studied for treating cancer.
What part of myrtle is used in cooking?
The leaves of myrtle are used for their aromatic properties in cooking.
Can myrtle and periwinkle grow in the same garden?
Yes, they can complement each other in a garden setting, with myrtle providing height and periwinkle covering the ground.
Are myrtle berries edible?
Myrtle berries are edible and used in some culinary traditions, but always consult a reliable source before consumption.
How does periwinkle help in soil erosion control?
Periwinkle's dense growth habit helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, especially on slopes.
How do I control periwinkle from spreading too much?
Regular pruning and removing unwanted shoots can help control periwinkle's spread.
Can periwinkle be invasive?
Yes, in some areas, periwinkle can be considered invasive due to its rapid spread and ability to outcompete native plants.
Is myrtle easy to care for?
Myrtle requires some care, including regular watering and pruning, but it can be a robust plant with the right conditions.
Where is the best place to plant myrtle in the garden?
Myrtle thrives in spots with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it suitable for borders or as a specimen plant.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
