Glechoma hederacea - Ground Ivy

Glechoma hederacea, more commonly known as ground ivy or alehoof, is a hardy perennial ground cover that spreads through stolons and can eventually cover large areas. It is mainly cultivated for its attractive semi-evergreen and fragrant foliage, which is adorned with small blue-violet flowers reminiscent of rosemary in spring. It is an easy plant to grow, both as a ground cover and as a decorative plant in containers and hanging baskets. It thrives in shade, partial shade, or full sun, in moist and fertile soil.

Glechoma hederacea is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, closely related to mints and thymes. Its European origins make it easily adaptable to our gardens. Its natural habitat includes meadows, roadsides, uncultivated land, and deciduous woods. It is a creeping perennial, reaching a height of only 15cm (6in) and capable of covering an area of 2m² on its own. From March to April, elongated light blue-violet flowers with violet-edged lips bloom among the foliage. They are grouped in pairs, threes, or fours in the axils of the leaves and carried by erect stems ranging from 5 to 30cm (2 to 12in) in height. The corolla is bilabiate, 1 to 2cm (1in) long, with an upright upper lip divided into two lobes and a wider lower lip with 3 lobes. The upper lip is spotted with purple. These flowers emit a sweet fragrance that attracts pollinating insects. The entire plant is aromatic and releases a balsamic scent when crushed. The dark green leaves are evergreen depending on the climate. They are hairy, with rounded toothed margins and a heart-shaped form.

Easy to grow and very hardy, ground ivy appreciates ordinary, light, moist, humus-rich, and damp soil. Its main requirement is moist soil. It will thrive in all exposures, whether sunny or shady. With its fast growth, it can be used as a ground cover in deciduous woodlands, as well as in flower beds and hanging baskets for a stunning cascading effect. This plant pairs well with hostas, bearded irises, comfrey, and hyacinths.

In the past, ground ivy was associated with white magic and was used in salads and beer. It is believed to have multiple medicinal properties, including astringent, expectorant, and tonic effects. It has a relatively high content of vitamin C.