Aegopodium spp.
goutweed
Overview
Aegopodium spp. is a small genus of about five to seven rhizomatous perennials in the carrot family, Apiaceae, native to Europe and temperate Asia. The plants spread by white, branching underground rhizomes to form dense, weed-suppressing carpets of foliage 8–14 inches (20–35 cm) tall. Leaves are compound, usually divided into three groups of three toothed, oval leaflets, mid-green in the wild species and edged or splashed with cream in the variegated form grown in gardens. In early to mid summer, hollow stems 12–36 inches (30–90 cm) tall carry flat-topped umbels of tiny white flowers typical of the family. A. podagraria, ground elder or goutweed, is the species behind both the edible potherb of old European kitchens and one of the harder garden weeds to remove, as any rhizome fragment left in the soil regrows. Its variegated form is less vigorous but still spreads steadily and reverts to plain green where it seeds or where shoots arise from deep roots. The genus grows strongly in shade and poor soil where little else competes, which is both its use and its drawback.
Native Range
Aegopodium spp. is native to Europe and temperate Asia, from Britain across to Siberia, growing in damp woodland, hedgerows, and shaded waste ground. A. podagraria has naturalized widely in North America, where it is listed as invasive in several states.Suggested Uses
Aegopodium spp. is grown as a fast groundcover for difficult dry shade under trees and on banks where little else will hold. The variegated form is used to lighten shaded corners and is spaced 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart for quick cover. Confinement by paving, walls, or containers keeps it out of mixed borders, where it overruns smaller plants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Aegopodium spp. flowers in early to mid summer, roughly June to July, lifting flat white umbels above the foliage on slender hollow stems. The bloom lasts two to four weeks. Seed set can be heavy in the plain green species, adding to its spread, so the flower stems are often cut before seeds ripen.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
mid-green, or green with cream margins in the variegated formGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Aegopodium spp. grows in full sun to deep shade and tolerates most soils, including dry, poor, and compacted ground, at a pH of 5.5–7.5. It is hardy to about −40°F (−40°C) and needs no feeding or watering once established. The rhizomes spread aggressively and are held in check only by deep root barriers, hard edges, or container culture. Cutting the plant to the ground several times a season weakens it but rarely removes it, as fragments resprout. The variegated form keeps cleaner color in part shade, scorching in hot full sun. Propagation, intended or not, is by division of the rhizomes.Pruning
Aegopodium spp. is cut back hard after flowering to refresh the foliage and to remove seed heads before they ripen. Shearing the variegated form once or twice in summer brings up cleaner new leaves. Digging out stray rhizomes is the main ongoing task where spread is unwanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing