Why did my Vinca die back?

Hi,

The previous owner of my home planted vinca in a narrow bed along the west side of my house - it gets some sun in the early afternoon, but not a lot. Over the past 8 years, it's done well without much maintenance at all, and well outgrew the original bed, taking over a gently sloping (and eroded, mostly clay) side yard. I was hoping that it would take over the whole side yard as a ground cover, because grass doesn't grow well there and the vinca seemed to do well without intervention. However, this last winter it died back. It didn't entirely die, but now it's really thinned out, with none of the long overground runners, and just short shoots remaining. It doesn't look good. An adjoining bed, on the south side of the house, is still thriving.

Could anyone tell me why this happened? Is there any specific maintenance I should have done, or should do in the future?

Thanks,

RFZ

Wish I could help you, RFZ, but the vinca we planted last year is almost doing TOO well: showing up everywhere, including at quite a distance from all plantings. I was beginning to think it was indestructible, but guess I should be grateful...

Hot, dry weather will cause Vinca to die back. Also, there is "Vinca Crown Canker and Dieback". Google that and see if it fits your problem.