Ground ivy

Ground ivy, Glechoma hederacea, is a herb that is unfussy, is ok about being neglected and having a few weeds around it, likes it damp and a bit shady. Kind of starts sounding like my perfect herb to grow! Added to that, in spring and summer, it has the prettiest blue or violet flowers. It is a Eurasian native and is tolerant of frosts and cold weather but dislikes getting too dry.

It has a taste I expect from much of the aromatic mint family like a mild oregano or white horehound. Maybe that should give us some indication of what we might use it for?

Although this is yet another herb that needs more studies on it, it has evidence it may be helpful for:

🌱the lungs with its anti-catarrhal, astringent and expectorant actions

🌱the gut when someone has diarrhoea or an upset tummy, haemorrhoids (astringent)

🌱UTIs and historically was used for kidney issues

I think it's just that lovely time of year when I like to enjoy these herbs flowering in the garden.

To convince everyone my amazing photographic skills are not AI, I have left some weeds to photob0mb you.

Ground ivy, Glechoma hederacea, in my garden