Q • I am trying to locate some information on a ground cover that my grandmother called goutweed or ghost weed, also known as snow on the mountain. I have heard that it is fast spreading, and I don’t want it to get in my grass that I have worked so hard on. I have a moist area under some river birches in my yard that I would like to cover. I have some flat irregular rocks that divide my mulched areas. The rain runs down the hill to that area, so I cannot put up a taller barrier because it would cause the water to pool in the yard.
A • Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegata’ is a variegated form of goutweed that is also known commonly as Bishop’s weed. It is a low, spreading plant frequently grown as a perennial ground cover. See our Plant Finder page online at tinyurl.com/y9qkqdeb.
Goutweed grows in nearly all soil types, from wet to dry, and can tolerate sun or shade. From the description of your site it should do well. However, be aware that it can spread aggressively from underground roots and may become very weedy and invasive. The variegated forms will occasionally revert to an all-green form that not only is more aggressive than the variegated form, but it’s three- leaved habit of growth also makes it a look-alike for poison ivy. However, goutweed does not produce the same allergic reaction that poison ivy causes.