Sweet Woodruff Growing Guide

Galium odoratum (formerly Asperula odorata)

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile soil that holds moisture well, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

Position

Partial shade, especially summer shade.

Frost tolerant

Yes, sweet woodruff is a hardy perennial, tolerating cold to -34°C (-30°F).

Feeding

None generally needed after plants are established. If a planting is struggling, drench it with a liquid organic fertiliser after blooms fade in late spring.

Spacing

Single Plants: 25cm (9") each way (minimum)
Rows: 25cm (9") with 25cm (9") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sweet woodruff seeds require cold stratification and are not dependable sprouters, so it is best to start with a purchased plant in spring. You also can dig chunks from an existing clump and transplant to your chosen site. Sweet woodruff spreads by shallow rhizomes, and most gardeners who have it can offer plenty to share. Young plants need water when they are actively growing, but once established their water needs are modest.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

An ideal plant to grow as a ground cover in dappled shade, sweet woodruff is one of the few ground covers that will grow near black walnuts. Where sweet woodruff shows an inclination to grow too well, limit its spread by mowing around the edges of the planting, and by withholding water during droughts. The weed called bedstraw is a different plant (G. aparine) that does not have sweet woodruff’s aromatic qualities.

Harvesting

In addition to being a vibrant green ground cover, sweet woodruff is grown for its scented whorled leaves, which become more aromatic after they have been dried. Smelling of mowed grass, cinnamon and vanilla, dried sweet woodruff leaves can be used in sachets or potpourri. Gather leaves for drying as flowering wanes in early summer.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Sweet Woodruff

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail