noun / adjective
periwinkle
A low evergreen plant with blue, purple, or white flowers.
Periwinkle spreads beneath the trees, adding blue flowers each spring.
Etymology
The plant name descends from Latin pervinca. It names the creeping flowering plant and is historically distinct from the similarly spelled sea-snail name.
More examples
- We plant periwinkles along the shady path.
- The periwinkle keeps its green leaves through winter.
- Her periwinkle scarf matches the pale purplish-blue flowers.
Forms
periwinkle · periwinkles
Similar words
- vinca
- Vinca is the botanical genus name, also used by gardeners.