Saturday, June 6, 2009

Prolific and Fragrant Groundcover

Pennyroyal (mentha pulegium) is a member of the mint family that has a strong spearmint fragrance. It is a low grower that likes a cool, moist site. I have it growing here (where my Annie is checking it out) under the grape arbors. It was planted last fall from plugs and as you can see has spread enough to almost cover the retainer bricks which was my objective. It can be used as a tea, but it can be poisonous if consumed in great quantities.

10 comments:

Heather said...

That is a lovely ground cover. I can't believe how fast it covered that area. I love that picture with your dog checking it out!~

Unknown said...

I'm not sure I have seen that before, but I love all the mint scents.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Sheila! I am not sure what I like more - the ground cover or your dog. GSDs is my love. I miss my Julik who left us on the 7th of May. Back to the groundcover - do you think it could grow in a shady place? Probably not.

Anonymous said...

What a pretty groundcover. Your dog must love the scent too. :)

David in Kansas said...

Great! I am always looking for ground cover that is interesting!

F Cameron said...

I've heard that pennyroyal repels fleas. Maybe your dog is grateful!

Cameron

Gail said...

It does smell wonderful! I am growing Glade Savory (Calamintha glabella) and brushing up against it's minty foliage is a treat! It gives me the minty-ness of your groundcover but doesn't require a cool and moist environment!

Jan said...

I will have to check into this fragrant ground cover. Like Tatyana, I need it in shade so don't think it would do well where I would want it. I like Gail's idea too...that type doesn't need shade! I'll take mint any way I can get it though...so perhaps I'll try them both! Have a great day:-) Jan

Sheila said...

Tatyana and Jan, this is actually a fairly shady spot. It does get some direct sun in the morning but it is mostly dappled shade. I don't know if it would do well in deep shade, but maybe it just wouldn't bloom, which would not bother me because I don't grow it for the small lavender flowers.

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