Ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) may be a highlight on herb walks (at least here in Germany), but in the garden it’s generally unpopular. In fertile, moist soil, it shows what it does best: growing wildly and spreading.
Anyone who values a flawless lawn or neat flowerbed edges is out of luck here. Ground elder ignores any sense of horticultural aesthetics.
In France, people seem to take a more relaxed approach to this plant, which belongs to the Apiaceae family. There, I’ve seen the cultivar “Variegata” in some gardens. I’m showing some pictures of this variety in this article.
This variegated variety is pretty to look at, but for biodiversity, the wild form is the better choice.
Exactly what bothers many people about ground elder is, however, an ecological advantage and good for biodiversity.
When ground elder blooms, it is a plant swarming with insects; its flowers are popular with many insects.
But even after flowering, it provides food and shelter for numerous invertebrates. These, however, are far less conspicuous than the pollinating insects.
For us humans, flies are often a nuisance. For frogs, lizards, spiders, or birds, however, they can be a real treat.
Hedgehogs and shrews also find something to eat among the leaves of the ground elder.
Young leaves and shoots of ground elder are great for cooking. To me, ground elder tastes somewhat like a mix of carrot and parsnip—to which it is, in fact, related.
Since the leaves quickly become tough, it’s best to harvest them in the spring or after pruning.
With its dense growth, Aegopodium podagraria protects the soil from drying out and erosion. The leaves that die off in the fall provide food for microorganisms and other soil organisms.
What makes ground elder so successful are its fast-growing runners. Not only are they difficult to remove, but even a small section with just one leaf node is enough for it to spread again.
When in bloom, it can reach a height of up to one meter. In Central Europe, the flowering period can last from May to August. In mild regions, ground elder retains some leaves even in winter.
So who benefits from ground elder?
Anyone who likes a lively garden and enjoys vegetables that aren’t available at the supermarket benefits from ground elder. Insects love its flowers, it offers shelter and food to other animals, and the dying leaves fertilize the soil. For us, it’s a flavorful wild vegetable, and for nature, it’s a real asset.
The native distribution range of Aegopodium podagraria extends across Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe, reaching far into Asia. In Great Britain, Ireland, and some North American regions, the species is naturalized (source).
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