Sweet Woodruff (Galium odorata)
Sweet Woodruff is a fine low-growing groundcover for shady areas. A perennial plant, it dies back in late summer or fall, but returns again each spring. It is a native of Europe where it was much used in Medieval medicine, and for potpourris. In Germany, fresh woodruff ("Waldmeister") sprigs are steeped in Rhine wine to give distinctive flavor to a seasonal specialty, Maywine. In addition to its dainty spring flowers, sweet woodruff offers soft foliage through most of the summer. It spreads freely and has few diseases or pests.
Size
Sweet woodruff typically grows 6 to 8 inches tall. It spreads as far as it is permitted by means of vigorous creeping rootstocks.
Foliage
Sweet woodruff foliage grows along the stems in pinwheels or whorls of 6 to 8 leaves attached directly to them. Each leaf is narrow, pointed, 1 1/2 inch long and up to 1/2 inch wide. The leaves and stems emit a fresh scent of new-mown hay when crushed. When dried, they have a vanilla-like scent that persists for years. As the growing season progresses the stems become lanky and the foliage turns messy brown and dies back in late summer.
Flowers & Fruit
Sweet woodruff flowers are white, 4-petaled and star-shaped, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. They bloom in May or June at the ends of each stem in loose branching clusters. They have a light, sweet scent.
