Don't miss these pretty low growing whorls of purple blue flowers, often gone by the end of June . Ground ivy has a multitude of common names- a sure sign of a plant with a deep cultural history. It belongs in the mint family, no relation to ivy, but its ivy like ability to spread accounts for names such as creeping Charlie, creeping Jenny, Gill-over-the-ground. Another name “alehoof” may reflect the rather hoof shaped leaves but also its use from Saxon times as a key ingredient for brewing beer. Ground Ivy has been valued as a herbal medicine for thousands of years and is edible. It was commonly included in potions for spells and magic, perhaps because it grows readily in churchyards, ruins and shady places which could feel ‘haunted’ The ritual use of ground ivy was popular. It was woven into the crowns and garlands worn on Midsummer’s Eve and worn by milkmaids when first milking cows in the pastures.