G is for Groundcover – Gill-over-the-ground

  • Post published:04/08/2016
  • Post comments:3 Comments
Gill-over-the-ground
Gill-over-the-ground

G is for Groundcover like ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) otherwise known as gill-over-the-ground, seen here creeping from my lawn into the new Lawn Beds.

There is a lot of cross-over, if not confusion, about what is a wildflower, weed, or ‘real plant.’  A friend was trying to figure out how to rid of the gill-over-the-ground that had suffocated the strawberries growing under her grapevines. We discussed carboard and solarizing, but another friend asked why she didn’t just leave the gill-over-the-ground. It was a  wildflower with pretty blue flowers, made a nice ground covering mat and kept out other ‘weeds.’  Sounded like a good idea. That is what she is doing. Maybe I will too.

When this ground ivy, gill-over-the ground isn’t keeping out weeds it can be used as a spring tonic, an appetite stimulant and has other more serious medicinal uses.

I might let my own gill-over-the-ground have its way more often, but others feel very differently

I am participating in the A to Z Challenge. One week down – a post every day.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow

    I call this creeping charlie. It kills any unsuspecting flower in it’s path. Only the hardy survives and that would be the Creeping Charlie. UGH

  2. Weekends in Maine

    I’m not familiar with this plant, but it looks like it would make a pretty ground cover.

  3. Pat

    Lisa – Creeping charlie is another name for gill-over-the-ground and it sounds less benign and creepier. So to speak.
    Weekends – I’m amazed you haven’t seen this plant – in someone’s casually tended garden – but it is quite pretty and that’s before its little blue flowers appear.

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