Ground elder
Aegopodium podagraria · Apiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant ground elder: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August, small white flowers
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast and invasive
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Indifferent, tolerates wet and shaded soil
Care
Watering
Bishop's weed appreciates moist to wet soil and adapts well to shaded areas where water remains available. Regular watering in spring and summer encourages growth, but the plant tolerates dry periods once established. Avoid prolonged waterlogging in winter.
Light Exposure
Plant bishop's weed in shade or partial shade: it thrives particularly under tree cover or along low-light areas. It also tolerates full sun in cool regions, but foliage may yellow if subjected to intense summer drought.
Pruning and Control
Prune regularly to limit its natural spread, as this plant expands rapidly through underground rhizomes. Mowing or using a strimmer in late summer helps contain growth. Remove spent flowers to reduce self-seeding.
Soil
Bishop's weed is undemanding and adapts to nearly all soils, from poor to rich. It prefers, however, moist, well-drained soil. Lightly enriching the soil in spring with compost promotes attractive foliage, though it's not essential.
Fertiliser
Bishop's weed generally requires no regular fertiliser, its rapid growth being natural. An application of compost or balanced fertiliser in spring is more than sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would further encourage its invasive nature.
Diseases and Pests
This robust plant is rarely affected by diseases. It may occasionally suffer from fungi if standing water persists. The main risk remains garden takeover: isolate it in a defined area or pot to control its spread through rhizomes.
Did you know?
The name 'bishop's weed' comes from the Latin 'podagra' meaning 'gout of the foot': in the Middle Ages, this plant was reputed to cure gout, hence its use in folk medicine. Although this virtue is now disputed, it retains this poetic name. Its vigorous expansion makes it a formidable 'jack-of-all-trades' that can colonise an entire garden in just a few years!
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.