Find Your Ask the Expert: What kind of ground cover perrenial is it?
I’m assuming its a ground cover. Because it just covers the ground. Spreads out I mean.Its leaves are dark green round shape with round pointy edges. It is kind of like a vine too but doesn’t get to long, it spreads out and only gets about 6 inches tall. It has very small light purple upside down bell shaped flowers. It has a light minty smell and the bees love the flowers. I thought it was a mint but I have several mint and it is not a mint Ive seen or thought it was. It comes back every year under my grape arbor in the spring and sticks around till fall. This is the first year Ive let it grow thus noticing the flowers on it. I would appreciate it if you could possibly tell me what it is. I can get a picture of it and send it if just the description alone doesn’t help. I live in Missouri by the way if that help narrow it down.
Thanks,
Deva
Crown Vetch (Coronilla Varia) photo from Wisconsin Botanical Information System
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) from the Missouri Botanical Garden
Deva,
Take a look at the pictures I attached above. Does your plant look similar to either one? I would have a better chance of identifying it if I had a picture. You can email your picture to jadams@flowershopnetwork.com.
Its definetly not the first picture. On the second picture the leave shape is wrong but the flowers look exactly the same. I will go out and get a picture in a few minutes and email it.
Deva
Deva,
I have attached the photo you sent me (above) and from the looks of it you have Glechoma hederacea which is commonly known as creeping Charlie or ground ivy. Some people consider this a weed and some consider it a an herb. It is a member of the mint family. Lthough not poisonous to humans it can cause issues with horses or goats.
thanks for that info. I have a new plant in backyard and was wondering what it is. It\’s crown vetch!. Never had that before. It\’s very pretty in a wild area near some water.
Ruth
Crown Vetch (Cornonilla varia) is a creeping herbaceous perennial that is often used for erosion control and bank plantings. To many people it is an annoyance in their flower garden but used in the right setting it makes a beautiful ground cover.