Scented Herbal Groundcovers

By Chris McLaughlin
February/March 2010
groundcovers5
Image Gallery
Groundcovers like this scented geranium are practical and luxuriously fragrant.
Photo by Jerry Pavia
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

If you adore gardens filled with scent, keep an eye out for these seven herbal groundcovers. These herbs live up to their multitasking reputations; practical, beautiful, aromatic.

RELATED CONTENT

• Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile and cultivars). 12 inches tall and wide; Zones 4-9; enjoys full sun or semi-shade; fruity, green-apple fragrance; summer blooms of daisy-like flowers; and light green, fern-like foliage. Roman chamomile makes a wonderful lawn substitute.

• Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum). 8 inches tall and spreads indefinitely; Zones 5-8; sweet woodruff is nice under trees as it prefers shady areas; smells of freshly mown hay when crushed.

• Corsican mint (Mentha requienii). 1/2 inch tall and spreads indefinitely; Zones 6-9; prefers sun but takes shade nicely. When leaves are bruised, Corsican mint has a sage/minty scent. It’s often used between pavers or stepping stones.

• Scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.). These grow from 1 to 3 feet tall; Zones 7-11. An amazing variety of scents are available, such as lime, almond, apricot, peppermint, cinnamon, chocolate-mint, coconut and apple.

• Prostrate rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’). 6 to 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide; Zones 7-10; honest and reliable; robust pine scent. Rosemary is a sun-worshipper and also is drought-tolerant.

• Lemon thyme (T. ×citriodorus ‘Aureus’). 6 to 8 inches tall and wide; Zones 6-9; golden leaves with summer flowers of soft lilac; strong lemon scent. Thymes love sunny areas but will tolerate some shade.

• Sweet violet (Viola odorata). 6 to 12 inches tall and wide; Zones 8-9; sweet scent; violet or white flowers. Prefers shade but will tolerate full sun in cooler areas. For a nice spring display, shear the leggy growth in the fall.


Chris McLaughlin’s book on composting, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Composting (Alpha/Penguin, 2010), will be published in April.

Click here for the main article, 5 Reasons to Plant Herbal Groundcovers.


Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print


Comments

  • Robin Kennedy_1 1/18/2010 5:50:53 PM

    Love the idea of herbal ground covers, but only one listed is for zone 4. What is available for zones 3 and 4?

2147486092
MY COMMUNITY

MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save 58% off the Cover Price
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*


(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Subscribe to The Herb Companion

Your guide to the many uses and even more pleasures of nature's most helpful plants!

The Herb Companion is the smart and easy complement to your own healthy, vibrant lifestyle! In every issue you'll find information on using herbs to:

  • Transform simple dishes into spectacular meals
  • Make gardens as useful as they are beautiful
  • Replace harsh chemicals with natural alternatives
  • Help find fulfillment, balance and good health
  • And much more!

Yes, send me a one-year subscription (6 issues) to The Herb Companion. I'll pay just $19.95.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $5.00 and get 6 issues of The Herb Companion for only $14.95 (USA only).