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Herbaceous Perennial
Aegopodium podagraria
ground elder
Better known as Ground Elder. A vigorous and invasive clump-forming perennial, it has soft green leaves and white flowers from spring through until the autumn
Other common names
acheweedachweed
see moreaiseweed
ash weed
axweed
bishop's elder
bishop's weed
dog elder
dwarf ash
dwarf elder
edgeweed
goat's weed
goatweed
goutweed
goutwort
herb Gerard
herb William
St Gerard's herb
white ach-herb
ground ash
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Aegopodium are fast-spreading rhizomatous perennials with elder-like leaves and rounded heads of small white flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, nat. N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Highly invasive and therefore not suitable for open ground unless it is a wild area
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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