If you’ve ever spotted a patch of soft lavender-blue blooms and thought, “That looks just like periwinkle,” you’re not alone. With its dainty five-petal shape and calming hues, periwinkle is a favourite in many gardens. But what if you love the look of periwinkle yet want something slightly different? Maybe a bloom that thrives in a different climate, offers a taller stem, or simply blooms in new seasons?
You're in for a treat. There are several flowers that look like periwinkle, from charming creepers to elegant upright stems, and each brings its own splash of personality while still giving off that familiar periwinkle charm.
Let’s explore a few of these floral lookalikes that might just make your next bouquet or backyard makeover even more delightful.
1. Blue Star (Amsonia Tabernaemontana)
Blue Star is a perennial that truly lives up to its name. Its narrow, pointed petals arrange into star-shaped clusters in shades of soft sky blue to light lavender. Although it blooms in late spring to early summer, its willow-like foliage transitions into a brilliant golden-yellow in autumn, making it a year-round landscape favourite.
Unlike periwinkle’s creeping habit, Blue Star stands taller, around 60 to 90 cm, and adds a more vertical element to garden borders or flower beds.
2. Plumbago (Plumbago Auriculata)
Known affectionately as Cape Leadwort, Plumbago is one of the most striking flowers that look like periwinkle, especially when it’s in full bloom. This plant produces generous clusters of pale blue or light violet trumpet-shaped flowers, each with a delicate five-petal design reminiscent of periwinkle.
Plumbago grows as a sprawling shrub, often reaching up to 1.8 metres in height, making it ideal for covering fences, trellises, or acting as a mid-height focal point in floral arrangements. It’s hardy in tropical climates and offers months of blooms when given plenty of sunlight.
3. Lithodora (Lithodora Diffusa)
Lithodora is a low-growing, evergreen ground cover with intense, cobalt-blue flowers that instantly draw the eye. The five-petal blooms are small and star-like, giving off the same softness and symmetry that makes periwinkle so beloved.
It typically grows no taller than 15 to 30 cm but spreads widely, making it ideal for edging pathways or softening rock garden borders. Lithodora blooms from late spring into summer, and its rich blue tones stand out beautifully against its dark green foliage.
4. Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis Sylvatica)
Forget-Me-Nots may be smaller than periwinkles, but they more than make up for it in charm and abundance. These woodland favourites feature clusters of tiny, sky-blue flowers with yellow centres.
Their growth habit is bushy and compact, and they generally reach up to 30 cm tall. This makes them ideal for shaded beds, underplanting taller flowers, or adding a soft filler to bouquets. They bloom in spring and early summer and often reseed themselves, so once they’re planted, they’re likely to return year after year.
5. Balloon Flower (Platycodon Grandiflorus)
Balloon Flower starts as a plump, balloon-like bud, hence the name, before opening into a five-pointed, star-shaped flower that ranges from lavender to soft violet-blue. While its petals are slightly thicker and more textured than periwinkle’s, the gentle pastel tone and petal symmetry make it a beautiful companion.
This upright perennial reaches heights of 30 to 70 cm and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s great for cut flower arrangements too, offering a longer vase life than many similarly coloured flowers.
6. Browallia (Browallia Speciosa)
Also called Bush Violet, Browallia is a tropical beauty that is often grown annually. Its rich violet-blue blossoms look remarkably similar to periwinkle’s, featuring the same rounded, five-lobed shape and subtle petal veining.
Browallia is compact, growing about 30 to 45 cm tall, and thrives in partial shade. It is a great option for balconies, indoor pots, or garden beds with limited sunlight. Its ability to bloom almost nonstop during the growing season makes it a lively addition to any floral collection.
7. Campanula Carpatica (Carpathian Bellflower)
This dainty perennial is a member of the bellflower family. Still, its open, cup-like blooms closely resemble the appearance of periwinkle. Campanula Carpatica typically flowers in cool lavender and periwinkle-blue shades with a spread of soft, scalloped petals.
It grows in a tidy mound about 20 to 25 cm high. It is perfect for edging garden beds, container planting, or popping into a rockery. Flowering from late spring into summer, it attracts pollinators. It adds that beloved periwinkle-style flair with a little extra resilience.
Why These Lookalikes Work So Well
So what makes these flowers that look like periwinkle so appealing? It’s the combination of that iconic soft blue-violet shade, the delicate petal arrangement, and their versatility in bouquets or landscaping.
Whether you’re planning a cottage garden, creating a floral gift box, or refreshing your living room vase, these flowers bring that same peaceful, romantic feel that periwinkle is loved for, but with a little twist.
Conclusion About Flowers That Look Like Periwinkle
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Look Like Periwinkle
Is Periwinkle A Ground Cover Or an Upright Plant?
Periwinkle is generally a creeping ground cover. However, several lookalikes, such as plumbago or balloon flower, grow upright.
Can These Lookalike Flowers Be Grown In Singapore?
Yes, with the right care and conditions, several of these flowers, such as Plumbago and Browallia, can thrive in Singapore’s warm climate.
Are These Flowers Suitable For Bouquets?
Absolutely. Many of these blooms, like Forget-Me-Nots and Campanula, are excellent additions to floral arrangements due to their colour and delicacy.
What Colours Do Periwinkle-Lookalike Flowers Come In?
While blue and lavender dominate, you can also find variations in purples and soft whites across different species.
Do These Flowers Require A Lot Of Maintenance?
Most of them are low to moderate maintenance, particularly if they’re suited to your garden's light and soil conditions.
