Growing Sweet Woodruff: Tips To Grow Sweet Woodruff Herb

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

Galium odoratum

Sweet woodruff is a flowering herbaceous plant in the coffee family and is native to north Africa, Asia and Europe. The genus name comes from the Greek word gala meaning milk as the flowers were used to curdle milk in cheese making. This plant grows along the ground or climbs over other plants and has sweet-smelling foliage and flowers. It can grow 6- 12 inches tall and up to 2 feet in length and spreads by rhizomes and seeds.

Its preference is for moist well-drained fertile soil in part to full shade. It will need to be watered during dry spells in summer to prevent it from going dormant. It can be somewhat aggressive under optimal growing conditions. Plants can be mowed with a rotary mower set high if necessary to maintain growth. Useful in herb gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover or edging plant. They tolerate heavy shade and even being planted near black walnuts.

Lance-shaped dark green leaves form whorls of 6-8 around, squarish stems. The leaves smell like freshly mowed hay when crushed and dried and are often used in potpourri or sachets. The white flowers are showy, fragrant and edible. They have a sweet, nutty, vanilla flavor. Flowers can have a blood-thinning effect if eaten in large amounts.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

• Attributes: Genus: Galium Species: odoratum Family: Rubiaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Used in perfumes Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: North Africa, Asia, Europe Distribution: Eastern USA and pacific northwest Play Value: Fragrance Climbing Method: Scrambler Edibility: Used to flavor teas and fruit drinks Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 6 in. – 1 ft. 0 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 2 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Edible Ground Cover Herb Perennial Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Growth Rate: Medium Maintenance: High Texture: Medium

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay High Organic Matter Sand Soil pH: Acid ( <6.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

• Fruit: Display/Harvest Time: Summer Fruit Type: Schizocarp Fruit Length: < 1 inch Fruit Width: < 1 inch Fruit Description: Fruit is covered in hooked bristles that adhere to fur and clothes

• Flowers: Flower Color: White Flower Inflorescence: Cyme Flower Value To Gardener: Edible Fragrant Flower Bloom Time: Spring Flower Shape: Star Flower Petals: 4-5 petals/rays Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: Small white 4-petaled flowers in cymes in the spring

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Leaf Color: Green Leaf Feel: Smooth Leaf Value To Gardener: Edible Fragrant Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Whorled Leaf Shape: Elliptical Lanceolate Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: 1-3 inches Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: Green whorled leaves are 3/4 to 2 inches long and consist of 6-9 leaves. Margins are entire and crushed leaves are aromatic

• Stem: Stem Color: Green Stem Is Aromatic: Yes Stem Cross Section: Square Stem Description: Thin, weak green stems sprawl on the ground or climb other plants

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Recreational Play Area Landscape Theme: Children’s Garden Edible Garden Design Feature: Mass Planting Resistance To Challenges: Black Walnut Heavy Shade Problems: Weedy

Galium odoratum

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Growing Sweet Woodruff: Tips To Grow Sweet Woodruff Herb

An often forgotten herb, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) can be a valuable addition to the garden, particularly shade gardens. Sweet woodruff herb was originally grown for the fresh smell the leaves give off and was used as a type of air freshener. It also has some medicinal uses, though, as always, you should check with a doctor before using any medical herb. It is also an edible plant that is said to taste somewhat of vanilla.

Today, sweet woodruff is most commonly used as a ground cover in shady areas. Sweet woodruff ground cover, with its star-shaped whorls of leaves and lacy white flowers, can add interesting texture and spark to a deeply shaded part of the garden. Sweet woodruff care is easy and taking the time to plant sweet woodruff is well worth the effort.

How to Grow Sweet Woodruff Herb

Sweet woodruff herb should be planted in a shady area. They like moist but well draining soil that is rich in organic material from things like decomposing leaves and branches, but will also grow in dry soils. They grow in USDA Zones 4-8.

Sweet woodruff spreads by runners. In moist soil, it can spread very quickly and can become invasive in the right conditions. It is often recommended that you plant sweet woodruff ground cover in an area that you would not mind seeing naturalized by sweet woodruff. You can also keep sweet woodruff under control by spade edging around the bed yearly. Spade edging is done by driving a spade into the soil on the edge of the flower bed where you are growing sweet woodruff. This will sever the runners. Remove any sweet woodruff plants growing outside the bed.

After the plants are established, growing sweet woodruff is very simple. It doesn’t need to be fertilized, and should only be watered in times of drought. Sweet woodruff care is just that easy.

Sweet Woodruff Propagation

Sweet woodruff is most often propagated by division. You can dig up clumps from an established patch and transplant them.

Sweet woodruff can also be propagated by seed. Sweet woodruff seeds can be planted directly into the soil in the spring or can be started indoors up to 10 weeks before your area’s last frost date.

To direct sow sweet woodruff, in early spring simply spread the seeds over the area that you wish to grow them and lightly cover the area with sifted soil or peat moss. Then water the area.

To start sweet woodruff indoors, spread the seeds evenly in the growing container and lightly cover the top with peat moss. Water the container and then place it into your refrigerator for two weeks. After you have chilled the sweet woodruff seeds, place them in a cool, lighted area (50 F. (10 C.), such as a basement or an unheated, attached garage to germinate. Once they have germinated, you can move the seedlings to a warmer location.