Jessie Keith
Family
Rubiaceae
Botanical Name
Galium odoratum
Plant Common Name
Sweet Woodruff
General Description
A popular woodland groundcover, sweet woodruff is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial native to Europe, North Africa and Russia. This fast-growing plant displays tiny, white, star-shaped flowers in late spring to mid-summer. Its attractive whorls of bright green leaves have a distinctive sweet taste when they first emerge in spring and are used to flavor May wine, a popular herbal wine enjoyed in Germany. Only newly unfurled foliage may be used for this purpose. Sweet woodruff grows best in sites with moist, humus-rich soil and dappled shade. Enjoy it in any informal shaded garden.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm
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Width
12"-36" / 30.5cm - 91.4cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Europe, Russia/Siberia, Northern Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
