Plant Alternatives That Are Far Better Than Invasive Bishop's Weed

A low-maintenance, fast-growing groundcover that is downright gorgeous (like Queen Anne's Lace), thrives in compacted soils, checks erosion, tolerates shade, and repels deer? Sign us up! But not if it's bishop's weed (Aegopodium podagraria) or its variegated-leaved 'Variegatum' cultivar. Although bishop's weed greens up bare lots in record time, it also loves to parry against its boundaries — relentlessly. Eventually, it escapes and competes with and displaces native vegetation, explaining why it's labeled invasive in several U.S. states.

Fortunately, plenty of other eye-catching, native ground covers are available as bishop weed alternatives, promising the same lush coverage sans the invasive tendencies. Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is one such option. It's one of the best native plants to grow if you live in the southeast, although it's hardy in zones 3 to 8. It's also the celebrated host of black swallowtail butterflies and frequently receives bees on its golden blooms. Like bishop's weed, Golden Alexanders thrives in partial and slightly shaded sites, quickly enveloping the area with its deer-resistant, green-turning-purple blades. It's unfussy about drainage, considering it tolerates both dry and wet soils. For the most part, it remains unproblematic, save for heavy seed production that enables its naturalization unless the blooms are deadheaded. Its deciduous foliage may grow unsightly in peak summer heat.

For an eye-catching ground cover that will thrive under trees for years to come, consider Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), a shade-tolerant perennial hailing from the southeast U.S. It thrives in zones 5 through 9 and quickly mats the ground with its bluish-green, evergreen leaves (a step up from bishop's weed's deciduous carpet). However, it may turn semi-evergreen in colder climates. It's also a helpful addition to most gardens, as it attracts predatory insects and pollinators. If you grow this species, avoid overhead watering and overcrowding since it's susceptible to leaf blight and rot.

Another native evergreen groundcover alternative to bishop's is cancer weed, also known as lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata). It establishes a roughly 1-foot high, thick mat of purple-veined, green leaves, pretty much like any Ajuga species, when it's watered judiciously. The best part, though? It tolerates pedestrian traffic and can be mowed regularly (if desired) if you want to keep it shorter. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies will land on tubular flowers in spring. It tolerates a wide spectrum of light conditions, from full sun to heavy shade. This ground cover is a perfect fit for those who overwater their plants or experience heavy downpours. Since it tolerates drought, lyreleaf sage can be planted in sandy soils, but it'll profusely self-seed in them. 

White turtlehead (Chelone obliqua 'Alba' or Chelone glabra) is a suitable substitute if you desire a shade-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, white-flowering perennial. However, it won't start blooming before mid-summer. It's best grown in clay or bog soils, but it won't tolerate traffic.