When you think about a garden, it’s easy to envision beautiful flowers, tall trees, and colourful shrubs. However, what if we were to tell you that your garden can be not only aesthetically pleasing, but also a source of food? This is where edible landscaping comes in. An edible landscape incorporates plants that not only look good but also provide food. A crucial part of any edible landscape is the ground cover. These plants can provide a variety of benefits, including erosion control, weed suppression, and adding nutrients to the soil. In addition, many ground cover plants are edible, making them a valuable part of any edible garden. In this article, we will cover the top edible ground covers suitable for UK gardens.
Creeping Thyme: A Fragrant and Edible Ground Cover
Creeping thyme is a popular choice for ground cover due to its resilience and beauty. This perennial herb loves the sun and is not overly picky about the type of soil it’s grown in, making it a great choice for UK gardens. It is drought-resistant and known for its ability to spread, creating a thick mat of greenery wherever it’s planted.
The small, fragrant leaves of creeping thyme are not only visually pleasing but also serve as a useful culinary herb. Thyme can be used fresh or dried and adds a depth of flavour to numerous dishes, including meats, stews, and salads.
Additionally, the purple flowers of the creeping thyme are highly attractive to bees, adding an ecological benefit to your garden. They help to attract and support pollinators, which are essential for fruit and vegetable production in your garden.
Wild Strawberries: A Fruity Ground Cover
Wild strawberries are another excellent ground cover option. These plants are easy to grow and will thrive in a variety of conditions, although they prefer slightly acidic soil.
Wild strawberries produce a carpet of green leaves, interspersed with small, white flowers in the spring. By early summer, you will have a plethora of small, juicy strawberries ready for picking.
These fruit are not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants, making them a healthy addition to your diet. Wild strawberries are smaller than their cultivated counterparts but have a more intense flavour. They can be eaten fresh, turned into jam, or used in desserts.
Alpine Perennial Species: A Hardy, Low-growing Choice
Alpine plants are a diverse group of perennials originating from the mountainous regions of the world. Several alpine species make excellent ground cover in an edible landscape. One such example is the alpine strawberry, a relative of the wild strawberry.
Alpine strawberries are hardy plants that produce small, aromatic berries throughout the summer. They are tolerant of a range of soil types and weather conditions, making them a reliable choice for UK gardens.
Another great alpine choice is the creeping thyme, a hardy plant that produces aromatic leaves and small, purple flowers. This plant is not only a great ground cover but also a useful culinary herb.
Herbs as Ground Cover: Aromatic and Edible
Many herbs make excellent ground cover for an edible landscape, providing both visual interest and culinary benefits. For instance, oregano is a perennial herb that spreads quickly and thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.
The leaves of oregano are used in a variety of dishes, from pizzas to pastas, and can be harvested throughout the growing season. Similarly, mint is another easy-to-grow herb that makes excellent ground cover. However, remember that mint is known for its aggressive growing habits, so it’s best to plant it in a contained area to keep it under control.
Edible Flowers: Add Colour and Flavour to Your Garden
Edible flowers add a touch of elegance and colour to your garden. Nasturtiums, for instance, are an excellent choice for ground cover. They produce vibrant orange, red, and yellow flowers that can be used in salads or as garnishes.
Moreover, nasturtium leaves are also edible, with a peppery flavour that can add a kick to your dishes. These plants prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil, making them a versatile choice for UK gardens.
Remember, the journey to an edible landscape is a delightful one. With these edible ground cover selections, you can enjoy the beauty of your garden while also savouring the fruits (and herbs) of your labour. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, these plants offer a multitude of benefits, making your garden a place of productivity, beauty, and enjoyment.
Sweet Woodruff: An Unassuming Ground Cover with Aromatic Appeal
Sweet Woodruff is a ground cover plant that’s less well-known but shouldn’t be overlooked when planning an edible landscape. This plant is a shade-loving perennial that produces small, star-shaped, white flowers in the spring. Sweet Woodruff prefers cool, moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate a variety of conditions, making it a versatile addition to any UK garden.
What makes Sweet Woodruff unique is its fragrant leaves. When fresh, the leaves have a light, sweet smell. However, when dried, the aroma intensifies, taking on a scent similar to freshly mown hay. This unique fragrance has led to Sweet Woodruff being used in potpourri and as a natural air freshener.
Moreover, Sweet Woodruff leaves are edible and have traditionally been used to flavour wines and herbal teas. They can also be used in desserts, adding a unique touch to your culinary repertoire. Just remember, Sweet Woodruff is best consumed in moderation, as large amounts can cause headaches and dizziness. Overall, this unassuming ground cover can add a fragrant, culinary twist to your edible landscape.
Edible Ferns: An Ornamental Ground Cover with Culinary Potential
Ferns might not be the first thing that comes to mind when envisioning an edible landscape, but some varieties can provide a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover packed with culinary potential. One of these is the ostrich fern, a plant that’s native to the northern hemisphere, including the UK.
Ostrich ferns can provide a lush, forest garden-like appeal to your landscape. These plants grow best in full sun or partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil, making them suitable for various locations in your garden. With their feathery, dark green fronds, ostrich ferns not only make an attractive ground cover but also a striking visual contrast to other edible plants.
The edible part of the ostrich fern is the young, tightly curled fronds, commonly known as “fiddleheads.” These have a slightly sweet, nutty flavour and are a delicacy in many cultures. They can be steamed, sautéed, or used in salads and other dishes. However, keep in mind that fiddleheads should always be cooked before consumption, as raw fiddleheads can cause food poisoning.
Creating an edible landscape is a journey that blends the aesthetics of gardening with the practicality of growing your own food. With ground covers such as Creeping Thyme, Wild Strawberries, Alpine Perennials, Herbs, Edible Flowers, Sweet Woodruff, and Edible Ferns, you can turn your garden into a productive, beautiful, and enjoyable space.
These ground cover plants are not only easy to grow and generally low maintenance, but they also offer a range of tastes, colours, and textures, making your garden endlessly fascinating. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, these plants provide countless opportunities to explore new flavours while enhancing the look of your landscape.
Remember, gardening should be a joy rather than a chore. With an edible landscape, every bit of effort put into your garden rewards you with something more than just beauty—it rewards you with the fruits (and herbs, flowers, and fronds) of your labour. So why not venture into edible landscaping and reap the delicious benefits of your garden? After all, the best kind of garden is the one you can eat!
