When designing an ornamental garden, most of us think about perennials, annuals, and bulbs. But did you know you can also incorporate edible ground cover plants? These plants not only add beauty to your garden, but they also provide a harvestable crop. And the best part? There’s a wide range of options to choose from. Here’s our Top 5 edible ground cover plants for your garden.
Edible Ground Cover Plant: Which One to Choose?
Ground covers are great for protecting the soil from cold, drought, and even help maintain soil fertility. Some edible ground covers are not only functional but also enhance your garden with flavorful and nutritious plants. Plus, they can significantly reduce the effort needed for weeding. Here are our top picks:
1. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Wild strawberries are an excellent choice for ground cover. This vigorous plant has lobed leaves and produces small white flowers in spring, which later develop into delicious, intensely flavored strawberries. They thrive in humus-rich soil and partial shade or moderate sun. Wild strawberries are perfect for creating a decorative and productive carpet in your wildflower beds. This hardy ground cover also withstands frost, making it ideal for gardens across France and other regions.
Tip: Wild strawberries can produce fruit from April to June (non-remontant varieties) or even up until frost (remontant varieties).
2. The Creeping Raspberry Bush
The creeping raspberry is a fast-growing and low-maintenance plant that makes an excellent ground cover. Its red-stemmed shoots produce white flowers in the middle of dark green leaves, which later turn into yellow-orange raspberry fruits. Not only does it beautify your garden, but it’s also a fruit-bearing ground cover that requires little watering, digging, or weeding. It’s a fantastic option for quickly greening horizontal spaces.
Bonus: Creeping raspberries are self-sufficient, needing minimal attention throughout the growing season.
3. Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
If you love the flavor of garlic, then wild garlic is a must-have in your garden. Known for its invasive growth, this plant thrives in damp, shady areas and produces white star-shaped flowers in May. The garlic-scented leaves are edible and can be used in a variety of dishes such as:
- Salads
- Omelettes
- Pasta
- Cheese
Compared to traditional garlic, wild garlic has a finer and more digestible flavor, making it an excellent addition to your culinary creations.
4. White Stonecrop (Sedum album)
White stonecrop is a low-maintenance, evergreen ground cover that thrives in rockeries and sunny spots. Its succulent leaves change from blue-green to purple in autumn, adding year-round interest. In summer, it produces white or pink flowers that attract pollinators like bees. The leaves of white stonecrop are edible and can be eaten:
- Raw in salads
- Cooked
- Steamed
This hardy plant is perfect for a delectable and decorative ground cover that doubles as a bee-friendly garden element.
5. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Lady’s mantle is a semi-evergreen perennial with dense, creeping foliage that forms a lovely ground cover. Its green leaves are known for glistening water droplets, adding a beautiful, ornamental touch to any garden. Lady’s mantle is also edible—the young shoots are perfect for adding to salads or cooking like spinach. This plant not only adds beauty but also versatility to your garden and kitchen.
Fun Fact: The leaves of lady’s mantle are famous for catching morning dew, creating a stunning effect in the garden.
Conclusion: Which Edible Ground Cover Should You Choose?
Whether you’re looking to enhance the aesthetics of your garden or grow tasty treats right at your doorstep, these edible ground cover plants are a fantastic choice. From wild strawberries and creeping raspberries to wild garlic and lady’s mantle, you can cultivate a garden that’s both beautiful and bountiful.
Choose the right edible ground cover that suits your space, and enjoy a garden full of flavorful, nutritious, and low-maintenance plants. Happy gardening!
