The Greater Periwinkle is possibly a native plant, but is more usually a garden escape. In the wild it is found more in the south of the British Isles than in the north. It is a perennial plant with creeping stems which root at the nodes.

Flower: Little to big blue-violet, about 25-50 mm, 5 petals
Leaves: Lanceolate and stalked, broad and leathery
Habitat: Woods, Hedge banks, gardens
Height to about 40 cm but mainly prostrate to over 1 m.
Typically flowering: April - June

The Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is similar in appearance, but the flowers are little (25 - 30 mm across) and the leaves are broader.