grave vine (also graveyard grass) noun The common periwinkle (Vinca minor). Same as cemetery vine.
1930 Armstrong This Day and Time 71 I’ud sooner be dead, ‘way yonder, the grave-vine a-growin’ on my grave. 1982 Stupka Wildflowers 89 Europe is the homeland of this hardy little evergreen vine that persists for decades around old homesites, gardens, and cemeteries. The latter habitat has given it another local name, “graveyard grass.” 2003 Strutin Hikes of Smokies 123 The slope from campsite up to knoll is covered with vinca, commonly called periwinkle. This non-native plant is sometimes called “graveyard grass,” because it is planted as a decorative evergreen ground-cover in cemeteries.
—Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English
I have graveyard grass growing around my house in various places. Granny never had it that I remember. I got my start from one of my aunts ages ago. I’m sure it was only a handful of vines, but over the years it has spread.
I can never decide for sure if I like the plant or not. It’s definitely hardy and when it blooms the small bluish lavender flowers are pretty.
Really the only downside to the plant is its spreading habit which is not so bad on the bank behind our house, but rather annoying when it attempts to take over my flower beds.
The quote from Stupka is spot on in my area of Appalachia. I’ve seen the vine at old homesites where there’s nothing left to indicate there ever was a house there other than the various non-native plants like graveyard grass.
The last time we all went fishing together at Fires Creek we ended up climbing up and down the steep bank along the gravel road. As I was trying to pull myself up an especially steep grade I noticed the vine growing in profusion across the area. I’m sure it came from an old homeplace that was nearby.
Last night’s video: Baked Onions with Cheese -So Good!
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
If the grave vine starts to take over all you have to do is plant a piece of kudzu. That will take care of the grave vine in short order.
Papaw, that is so funny. And so true
I so love watching you and your girls videos , loved the recent one on Bible study . The strength your family has is inspiring , reminds me of my own family , we live in Southwest Oklahoma and are farmers , but I grew up as a child in Arkansas and have fond memories … and your ways remind me of how I was raised.. there are good loving families in all parts. of America , and it gives us hope .. we have trials and we face them together .. and our Love of Jesus keeps us going !
I’ve seen it but never knew what it was called until now. Thank you for sharing it with us!
I’ve planted vinca annuals for many years. I have never seen them growing wild. I liked to plant them because they are hardy as well as beautiful flowers. Prayers for all. Take care and God bless ❣️
I have it all around my house. My Grandparents started it well over a hundred years ago to help hold the soil on the banks behind the house. Later an aunt & uncle transplanted it on the road bank along the driveway, then after I moved into the house and had some grading done, I transplanted it onto the bank left by the grading. It starts out kind of slow, then boom it really takes off.
I Googled Vinca Minor because I had brought home some Vinca plants for my wife and we found out they grow very well in direct sunlight. I saw the flower of the vinca minor – grave vine – and I said to myself, “I know that.” There is a place where I walk my dog, Sylas, and it is all overgrown with everything imaginable – clematis, porcelain berry, honeysuckle, goldenrod – and occasionally I would see these lavender or periwinkle flowers. Now I know what it is
Hi,
Vinca minor is not native to Appalachia. It is a foreign invader. Although it is pretty it spreads rapidly throughout the forest matting down trilliums and bloodroot and our wonderful natives. You are right that it often denotes an old home place!! When I see it in the woods it makes me a little sad and curious about who planted it and what their life was like.
A wonderful alternative is Green and Gold…a native ground cover which is beautiful and has a sweet little yellow bloom.
Thanks for all you do Tipper!
God bless Granny Wilson with healing and health in Jesus Christ name, lots of pain today, strange pain!! God help me too
About 5 years ago I planted a couple small plants in my ever eroding bank behind my house. It’s been slow growing, but this year it’s finally taking off. My neighbor has a patch and it’s so dense and tall. Wish mine would hurry up and get that way. I do enjoy the tiny bluish colored flowers.
In Vermont, it is considered an invasive plant. We are told to get rid of it. I have it several places. The property next to me is trees and under the trees is thick vinca. Nothing else is growing, no tiny maple trees or any other flowers. i guess that is the problem with it. It is hard to get rid of. My Mom always had a small patch in her back yard. I dont remember it spreading so far and wide.
Tipper, I just enjoy getting up every morning and reading your post and learning something new. I feel like I take a class on Appalachia each day. I don’t know if this vine grows anywhere near me but I want to go out and look for it. I think your onion recipe looked yummy last evening. I love onions and cheese, so it has to be delicious and I can’t wait to try it. I truly pray your Mama’s doctor visit went well. She’s in my prayers. Take care.
Graveyard grass or wild Sweet William grows very heartily and well (thank God) on my terrace behind my house. I love to see the lavender blooms come spring as if to say “we may be small, but aren’t we beautiful winding and vining to keep your hill from sliding?” I had a guy weed eat last summer who really did a number on my graveyard grass and it will take YEARS to get it back like it was. I never heard it called graveyard grass before today, but I certainly think it’s a good name! I’m sure it will be here long after I’m gone unless a weed eater kills it… smh… Gods blessings to all you blind pigs here and granny and your whole family, Tipper.
Here it’s considered an invasive to be removed! It’s pretty and hardy for sure and yes it does overtake flower beds. There is one place that we drive by regularly that is wooded and it has overtaken that section of woods on the ground and in the trees. But when you need something to grow to protect the soil it does the job.
I have something growing inside my limelight hydrangeas that looks like this leaf but would it grow upward? I didn’t know graveyard grass was also called periwinkle and vinca. It’s always interesting to learn new things.
Today I’m trying your onion recipe.
Have a great day and pray we get lots of rain in the Tennessee valley. Blessings to all the family.
It it common up in Michigan, too, though more so in southern Ohio. I had a huge batch of it down there that took over a spot on the north side of my house where nothing else grew. I also found it annoying that it spread over the entire north side, but was also grateful that something grew! I was always grateful when it boomed. Many prayers for Granny and also for all of you. God bless.
You know I gotta try that onion recipe today. I normally buy only Vidalia onions, but looks like a visit to the supermarket for a couple of yellow ones today. Thanks for sharing and I pray that Granny’s Doctor visit is a good one. Praying for you guys.
Here in Florida we have variety of periwinkle that is very hearty for our hot sun. The flowers are beautiful and don’t require a lot of care.