Periwinkle is a plant species originally native to parts of central and southern Europe. Transported by colonists to North America around the 1700s, Periwinkle is considered a naturalized invasive species in some regions of the United States. Used and referred to as a 'groundcover', Periwinkle is most often used to cover bare places of ground and is dense in its nature of growth. With a habit that most often chokes out competing plants and weeds, Periwinkle is also excellent for preventing soil erosion. Because of these characteristics, Perinkle was often used as a 'groundcover' which did not require mowing in cemetaries - giving it the common name grave yard vine. Periwinkle also remains aesthetically pleasing most of the year, as it tends to bloom with a light blue-violet flower throughout the spring and summer months. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the name Periwinkle is possibly taken from pervinka, the Russian name of the flower, which in turn is derived from pervi, “first,” as it is one of the first flowers of spring. Periwinkle should not be used as an edging for the lawn, as it will easily spread into the grass.