Foodscaping is the introduction of food and edible plants into yards and gardens. Foodscape gardens encourage us to think outside the box and find new opportunities to use edible crops that look just as good as ornamental shrubs and flowers.
When most gardeners think of a foodscape garden, they think of incorporating tall, edible plants like berry bushes, sunflowers and sorghum into flower beds and landscape designs. But avid foodscapers can get even more food from their gardens by growing edible ground cover plants as low-maintenance grass alternatives, cover crops or living mulch in vegetable and flower beds.
Edible ground covers not only provide a harvest of tasty leaves, berries, and flowers, but they also help control weeds, insulate the soil, and create intricate, attractive garden designs. Candy Eaton of Age Friendly Sullivan, a community organization and garden in Sullivan, Maine, recommends using ground cover herbs to add curb appeal and attract pollinators to your garden.
“Our flower beds are filled with beautiful flowers and the scent of oregano,” Eaton says, “and new herbs appear in our flower beds every spring,” she adds. Eaton also grows thyme, mint and edible ground cover flowers like nasturtiums and violets to attract bees and butterflies and “add aroma and flavor to summer drinks.” [and] I'm interested in flatbreads and pizza.”
If you're interested in adding edible ground covers to your edible landscape, landscaping, vegetable patch, or flower bed, find below the best edible ground covers for shade or sun.
1. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Photo: Laszlo Podor/Moment via Getty Images
Creeping thyme is a shorter, more spreading ground cover than common thyme, growing to about 3 inches tall. The leaves and pink flowers are edible, but the flavor is not as consistent as that of common thyme (T. vulgaris), which is grown for culinary purposes and used as a somewhat shrubby ground cover in flower beds. Both types of flowers are very attractive to bees and other pollinators. These plants can be used in flower beds, but can also be planted in large numbers to create a colorful creeping thyme lawn.
Ideal for: Dry gardens, rock gardens, garden walkways, alternative lawns, pollinator gardens
Hardiness Zones: Perennial, zones 4 to 9 (common thyme is 5 to 9)
2. Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
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Wild strawberries, also known as Alpine strawberries, have smaller berries than cultivated strawberries, but are delicious.Wild strawberries can be eaten raw or used to make jams, jellies, and desserts.
Ideal for: Garden edging, edible gardens
Hardiness Zones: Perennials in Zones 5-9
3. Creeping oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Humile')
Photo: Annick VanderSchelden Photography/Moment via Getty Images
Similar to creeping thyme, creeping oregano is a shorter version of standard oregano, usually growing up to about 4 to 6 inches tall. This deer-resistant plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its edible leaves and flowers can be used as a culinary herb or garnish.
Ideal for: Dry gardens, rock gardens, garden walkways, pollinator gardens
Hardiness Zones: Zones 6 to 11 Perennial
4. Climbing nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Photo: Jenny Detrick/Moment via Getty Images
Nasturtiums are fast-growing ground cover plants, so you can start nasturtium ground cover seedlings indoors or sow the seeds directly outdoors in the spring. Harvest the tangy leaves on the usually foot-long stems for salads, use the trumpet-shaped flowers as a wonderfully colorful salad topping, or leave nasturtium flowers on the plant to attract hummingbirds.
Best for: Vegetable gardens, garden borders, pollinator gardens
Hardiness Zones: Annual in Zones 2 to 8, perennial in Zones 9 to 11
5. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Photo: Carol Cinca/500px via Getty Images
If you're looking for a shady ground cover, wintergreen is one of the best choices. This evergreen ground cover will tolerate low light conditions. Plus, its edible leaves and red berries have a delicate minty scent that's long been used to flavor teaberry ice cream. This plant grows to just under 8 inches, and birds love wintergreen berries, too.
Best for: Shade gardens, woodland gardens, acidic soils
Hardiness Zones: Perennials in Zones 3 to 8
6. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Photo: Simon McGill/Moment via Getty Images
Mint plants are notorious for growing quickly, sometimes to the point of being frustrating. However, that growth rate is useful when using mint as a ground cover for weed suppression. Keep in mind that most edible mint plants will grow a bit taller (up to a foot or more) than other ground covers.
If height is an issue, M. requienii, also known as Corsican mint, grows only about an inch tall but has a less consistent flavor. Peppermint and spearmint are the most popular mint varieties for home gardens, but other plants from the mint family, such as lemon balm, can also be used as ground covers.
Best for: Pollinator gardens, garden borders
Hardiness Zones: Perennials in Zones 6-10
7. Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Photo: Feli Sees
There are several varieties of blueberries, but shrub blueberries are a great choice as a ground cover. These ground-hugging plants grow to at least 6 inches tall and attract people with their bell-shaped white flowers and abundant berries. Most pollinators love blueberry flowers, but they are especially attractive to bumblebees.
Best for: Flower beds, garden borders, pollinator gardens, acidic soils
Hardiness Zones: Perennials in Zones 2 to 7
8. Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
Photo: jfairone/E+ via Getty Images
Although many dismiss violets as “weeds,” this beautiful plant native to North America has many benefits. In addition to its edible leaves and flowers, the common blue violet tolerates foot traffic and serves as a host plant for many types of native butterflies. Its wide variety and distribution make it popular with collectors.
Best for: Alternative lawns, gardens for pollinators
Hardiness Zones: Perennials in Zones 3 to 7
