Groundcover: Goutweed

Goutweed is often confused with Snow-in-Summer but there are big differences. For one, goutweed is very, very invasive. I do not recommend planting it where you cannot contain it. If you have a spot to contain it, it can be absolutely lovely and fill a lot of empty space really quickly. In addition, if kept out of our hot afternoon sun, it looks good all season as well.

Goutweed is a part shade plant. Leaves will burn and curl in very hot sun. It grows about 24" but does not sit up that high. Instead it kind of flops over into mounds of minty green and white.

The flowers are insignificant white, airy things that sit well above the leaves on thin stalks that shoot upward. It is best to cut these off before they go to seed because Goutweed will spread both by root and by seed and it spreads fast!

I grow it all along my drive edge at the lower level where it lives under the cover of a lot of trees. Only goutweed would do this well along this wall. I do have to ruthlessly pull it back from overtaking the drive about twice a year. The display is worth the effort.

Warning: Do not plant Goutweed in your garden proper unless you want only Goutweed growing within a year or two. It is difficult to get rid of once established.

contributed by member Danielle Carrier