Edible ground cover: the top 10 for your garden

Some ground covers not only beautify your garden, but also your plates. Here we show you which ground covers are edible.

Weeds really aren't our favorite visitors to the garden, after all, they mean we invest a lot of time in weeding or even have to resort to chemicals so that our beds are cared for look. If you don't feel like it, you are welcome to use it Ground cover: With their low, dense growth, the plants reliably suppress unwanted guests and are also extremely decorative. Conveniently, many species not only look good, they also taste wonderful. Whether crunchy leaves, sweet berries or aromatic spices - you shouldn't miss these ten edible ground covers.

Edible ground cover: Our top 10

Edible ground covers are not only delicious, but also practical. We have put together our top 10 for your garden.

1. New Zealand spinach

The New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) is a real insider tip for everyone who wants to harvest fresh vegetables without a lot of effort: The annual leafy vegetables sow themselves and are very easy to care for in sunny locations. The plant only remains a ground cover if it is harvested regularly, otherwise it can grow up to two meters high. The harvest of New Zealand spinach is rewarded with delicious leaves, which - similar to real spinach (Spinacia oleracea) - good for salads, but also taste steamed.

2. Woodruff

Woodruff (Galium odoratum) with its unique aroma is a popular ingredient for sweets, desserts, punch bowls and ice cream and is also popular with young and old. The plant does not look bad in the garden either: with its brilliant white flowers, it is a wonderful ground cover. Shady spots in the garden are also enchanting Shade plant with their unique charm. However, the woodruff should only be consumed in moderation: the coumarin contained in large quantities can lead to symptoms of poisoning.

3. Chickweed

Few plants feel comfortable on damp, shady spots - not so them Chickweed (Stellaria media). Even in these unloved places, the herbaceous plant spreads without problems. The leaves of the plant are ideal for salad and are not to be sneezed at when steamed. At the same time, chickweed is full of vitamins and minerals and is in great demand not only with humans but also with birds.

4. Creeping rosemary

Mediterranean herbs can be found in every garden and spoil us with their wonderful aroma. So why not combine the beautiful with the useful? The creeping one rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‚Prostate‘) Does exactly that: Due to its creeping growth, the plant is ideal as a ground cover - at the same time it spoils you However, creeping rosemary also has its usual great, intense aroma and is wonderfully suitable as a spice for fish and Meat.

5. Purslane

Hardy, undemanding and with creeping growth - the Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is also extremely suitable as a ground cover for beginners and also looks great with its white and light pink flowers. At the same time, the purslane is a great addition to the kitchen, it is perfect as a winter vegetable. The purslane can be enjoyed as a fresh salad or prepared like spinach, which is what gave the plant the name "winter spinach". In addition, the purslane is considered extremely healthy: with its many minerals and vitamins, the vegetables are the perfect addition to any meal plan.

6. Creeping Oregon grape

The creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens). With its bright flowers, the Oregon grape is a real eye-catcher that is used not only by humans, but also by beneficial organisms such as bees. The berries of the plant are edible, but not to everyone's taste, because they are considered to be very acidic. In order to reduce the acidity, the berries are also often processed into jelly or jam and are then real delicacies.

7. Gundermann

The Gundermann (Glechoma hederacea): It remains small, is relatively hard-wearing and also very robust. Visually, too, the plant with its small purple flowers is not to be despised. The leaves of the plant also impress with a great, intense taste: They are perfect for herb butter or salads.

8. Fragrant violets

Many think that ground cover looks boring - an outdated prejudice, as the scented violet (Viola odorata) shows impressively. With their uncomplicated nature and creeping growth, the violets are perfect as ground cover but anything but dreary: blue-violet flowers make for an impressive eye-catcher, while the smell the Fragrant plant at the same time beguiles the nose. But the violet is also not to be despised in the kitchen: candied, as a dessert, but also in salads Scented violets are popular and not only ensure the right taste, but also a beautiful one at the same time Decoration.

9. Nasturtiums

If you are looking for an all-rounder for your bed, you will find it Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) the right decision: pretty flowers in bright colors make the plant a real one A feast for the eyes, at the same time weeds are well suppressed, and the nasturtium is still considered to be extreme easy-care. It is also not to be despised in culinary terms: the leaves and flowers of the plant not only taste wonderfully spicy, the seed capsule can also be used as a substitute for capers.

10. Wild strawberry

Who could resist this treat? the Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a great ground cover for those with a sweet tooth. Somewhat smaller than the usual cultivars, the wild strawberry impresses with its beautiful flowers and is particularly comfortable in the shade. It is true that their fruits are also slightly smaller than those of the Garden strawberry off, but they make up for it with a much more intense, sweeter taste. The leaves of the wild strawberry can also be used - for example, they can be used to make tea.

If you want to know, which flowers are edible and should definitely find its way onto your plate, then take a look at our special article here.