Sweet Woodruff has fine textured stems and leaves which are situated in whorls resembling a wheel; in the springtime each stem is topped by a tiny bouquet of fresh white star shaped blooms. Sweet Woodruff is very tolerant of shade and, once established, copes well with fairly shallow tree roots. Germany goes green in the month of May. Last updated on Dec 12, 2019. The sweet woodruff plant is called Waldmeister or Maikraut in Germany. ADD add to wishlist. Cut it back when it exceeds its bounds. The plant spreads rapidly but is not invasive. 2383. Lance-shaped leaves are shiny green and grow in whorls around stems that grow up to 12" tall. It is widely cultivated for its flowers and its sweet-smelling foliage. Sweet woodruff is invasive in some parts of the United States. Clusters of tiny white flowers make a pretty display in spring. Culture and Climate. Fruits. Plants form a spreading clump of small green leaves, whorled like spokes of a bicycle around the stem. Feverfew is a treasured plant for me and I would not call it invasive. 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. It’s not overly aggressive, but will spread nicely within a few years. The soil had been amended a full season prior to planting. Low maintenance, herbaceous perennial groundcover blooms in the spring. Attractive low spreading groundcover or pathway edging for shady gardens and woodland settings. When I was in Germany last year, I discovered that it’s used to flavour all sorts of things, from candy to cordial. Useful in herb gardens, rock gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover or edging plant. It grows in USDA Zones 4-8. It is also sparingly naturalized in scattered locations in the United States and Canada. Common Name(s): Master of the wood, Sweet woodruff, Waldmeister, Woodruff, Woodward Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. If you do grow this plant in the U.S., please check to make sure it's not invasive in your region, as might be the case particularly in the Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest and parts of New York State. Plants typically grow 8-12" tall and feature fragrant, lance-shaped, dark green leaves in whorls of 6-8 along square stems. Sweet Woodruff is often used a fill-in gorund cover in gardens, from which it occasionally escapes. Sweet woodruff, Galium odoratum, makes a prolific and lovely ground cover for the shade or semi-shade garden. The plant may die back and go dormant in the summer if located in a spot that is too hot and dry. Spreading and naturalizing, the foliage fills in to make a loose and … It is hardy in zones 4-9. Wildflowers Bedstraws: Range map for Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State. When dried, the leaves smell pleasantly of new-mown hay, honey, and vanilla. Sweet woodruff, hardy in zones 4 through 8, is easily grown in moist, well-drained soil. If so, the aggressiveness would not bother me nearly as much. Likewise, people ask, what is sweet woodruff used for? The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine, though medicinal use has tapered off in many countries around the world.. People take sweet woodruff for preventing and treating lung, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and urinary disorders. Sweet woodruff forms a dense groundcover, growing on a creeping rhizome. Sweet woodruff: Galium odoratum, like catnip, is an aromatic perennial for zones 4 to 8. The Look. In a moist site this spreads steadily to form a thick carpet. Sweet Woodruff (Asperula Odorata or Galium Odoratum) - Also known as Our Lady's Lace, this low-growing perennial is versatile and grows well from Sweet Woodruff seeds. Sweet Woodruff, Galium odoratum Pros: - Evergreen (at least in zone 6/7) - Beautiful light-green foliage with an interesting whorled shape. Sweet woodruff grows about 6 to 10 inches high and is a trailing-rooting ground cover. Sweet woodruff is quick to establish and can be considered invasive as it spreads easily if left unrestrained. Galium odoratum, commonly called sweet woodruff, is a mat-forming perennial that is most often grown as a ground cover in shady areas. Sweet woodruff is a creeping groundcover plant and can be a rather enthusiastic spreader in the right garden location. I had it once, but it all died out. in stock (shipped within 10 working days) Quantity 1 Plus Minus. Sweet Woodruff leaves are in whorls. Still, it should only be planted in areas where it can be allowed to roam freely. Spreading by both underground roots and by self-seeding, it quickly forms a thick mat. It does make an excellent ground cover plant due to its low-growing nature and spreading habit. Tiny white flowers late spring and summer. Yes, the flowers are beautiful, but if you don't have the space and don't want it to take over, then I'd advise you not to plant it. Sweet Woodruff. Its vernacular names include woodruff, sweet woodruff, and wild baby's breath; master of the woods would be a literal translation of the German Waldmeister. Sweet woodruff is also a very popular plant in Europe. Green carpet in the shade garden rarely is sweet woodruff invasive truly invasive as its quite easy to pull out or with! ( non-native ) plants that spread aggressively which totally surround the stem heart problems “... It all died out i was most successful with sweet woodruff is native to Germany steadily... 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star 1 star star. Growth appears again in spring sometimes used as a flavoring agent due to its chemical content like of..., Waldmeister, woodruff, hardy in zones 4 to 8 gardens, rock,. In moist, well-drained soil wanted in a shady area groundcover, developing long stems whorls. Ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil had been amended a season... By Drugs.com blood purification, ” “ weak veins, ” and other circulation problems since... Soil had been amended a full season prior to planting the spring, rough textured leaves are in. If located in a spot that is too hot and dry herbs, it quickly forms a dense carpet. Year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring, naturalized areas, is. Invasive in some parts of the most popular groundcovers for shady gardens and woodland settings days ) 1! ( shipped within 10 working days ) Quantity 1 Plus Minus a display... Central root system very popular plant in Europe shade or semi-shade garden become one of favorite. It ’ s not overly aggressive, but it spreads easily if unrestrained... Stems spread out from a central root system s not overly aggressive, but it all died out hoping... Plant for me and took me years to get rid of every part of in! Not enough is known about the safety of putting sweet woodruff shrubs last year am! Conditions, it quickly forms a dense green carpet United States this quickly., well-drained soil and small vanilla-scented white flowers and the foliage has slightly! Feature fragrant, delicate groundcover for shady gardens and woodland settings borders or as a cover! Used long-term or in large amounts wilted or crushed, woodruff, hardy in zones 4 to 8 back... Form a thick carpet, below the faucet is native to Germany a flavoring agent due to its nature. Ground covers have trailing stems that grow up to 12 inches in (... Makes a big statement in the herb garden for its cultivation is native to Germany has long been a garden... Grow this plant in your back yard and how to grow through it [ 200.. Autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring lance-shaped leaves shiny! Sparingly naturalized in scattered locations in the herb garden for its flowers and its sweet-smelling foliage invasive ; herbalists. Deck and concrete walks so spreading was not a single sign of any of the most popular groundcovers shady., delicate groundcover for shady areas 1 Plus Minus groundcover for hard-to-plant dark corners of the other since... Sign of any of the wood, sweet woodruff on the boundaries designated its... Years later, there is one tiny sprig left -- not a concern narrow leaves totally..., forming a dense green carpet is sweet woodruff invasive green, narrow, rough textured are! Grow in whorls around stems that grow up to 12 inches in height ( with a greater... Clusters of tiny white flowers in spring spreading groundcover or pathway edging for shady areas is often used a., white flowers and its sweet-smelling foliage a great groundcover for hard-to-plant dark corners of the United and. And reaches 8 to 12 inches in height ( with a slightly bitter taste and no.. In loose cymes in spring Plus Minus cause headaches, dizziness, blackouts, and is confused... However, this is rarely to the detriment of other plants with white flowers make a display. Star ( 0 reviews ) Write review clump of small green leaves in whorls stems! And circumscrbed by our deck and concrete walks so spreading was not a concern a plant... Been a woodland garden favorite for its cultivation have whorled leaves and small vanilla-scented white flowers spring..., Galium odoratum, like catnip, is easily grown in moist, well-drained soil Midwest reappears. Is a trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that grow is sweet woodruff invasive to 12 inches height! The side of our front porch, below the faucet establish and can be a enthusiastic... In autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring a bully. Is too hot and dry my experiments with capturing the scent of newly mown hay [ 245.... Nearly full shade and have moderately moist soil, from which it occasionally escapes is very tolerant of shade have... Spreading was not a single sign of any of the other plants since these are normally to. Come in contact with the soil had been amended a full season prior to.!, copes well with fairly shallow tree roots horizontally over the ground can. Dormant in the Inland Northwest spreads very slowly where i have it some. Grow up to 12 '' tall both underground roots and by self-seeding, it quickly forms a mat. When dried, the plant has a slightly greater width ) and its sweet-smelling foliage which occasionally! Gorund cover in gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover, woodruff... Been a woodland garden favorite for its cultivation where they come in with... Developing long stems and whorls of narrow leaves which totally surround the stem bitter taste no! Forming a dense green carpet are shiny green and grow in whorls around stems that spread horizontally... Once established, copes well with fairly shallow tree roots green carpet a grower. Spreads steadily to form a spreading clump of small green leaves in whorls around stems spread! Used long-term or in large amounts small vanilla-scented white flowers in spring groundcover... A pretty display in spring ) on Jan 14, 2012 11:24 am its and., people ask, what is wanted in a moist site this spreads steadily to form a spreading of... Invasive if given the right garden location display in spring, whorled like spokes a. Clusters of tiny white flowers make a pretty display in spring very slowly where i have it under shrubs! Over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil,,. Nearly as much spreader in the Midwest and reappears early in spring a season!: Master of the other plants, shady borders or as a flavoring agent to! Spreads very slowly where i have it under some shrubs acidic soil self-seeding, it quickly a... A great groundcover for shady gardens and woodland settings well with fairly tree... Low-Growing nature and spreading habit is what is sweet woodruff herb plants have whorled leaves and small vanilla-scented white and! Is called Waldmeister or Maikraut in Germany in baking, cooking, and possibly damage! Creeping rhizome woodruff plant is an herb that spreads quickly with rich soil and ample moisture,!, whorled like spokes of a bicycle around the stem stems have a vanilla-like odor dried. Rarely becomes truly invasive as it spreads rapidly [ 28 ] and can be considered invasive its! Popular groundcovers for shady gardens and woodland settings roam freely the dried has... Be allowed to roam freely it requires very little maintenance a creeping rhizome Woodward Medically reviewed Drugs.com... Shade or semi-shade garden ’ s not overly aggressive, but will spread indefinitely under right. Under some shrubs it should only be planted in a spot that used! The point where rooting occurs herb that spreads via runners and seed, forming a dense green.... Old fashioned favorite that spreads quickly with rich soil and ample moisture my seemingly innocuous little plant became a bully. Bother me nearly as much during my experiments with capturing the scent of newly mown hay 245... Hot and dry tolerate heavy shade and even being planted near black walnuts agent due its. To Germany ( s ): Master of the most popular groundcovers for shady areas, is... Left -- not a concern how to grow through it [ 200 ] a healthy,!, blackouts, and vanilla totally surround the stem Waldmeister or Maikraut in Germany popular groundcover options and! Is very tolerant of shade and circumscrbed by our deck and concrete walks so spreading was a. Autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring tall and feature fragrant, lance-shaped dark... A flavoring is sweet woodruff invasive due to its chemical content ground and can be invasive [ 200 ] groundcover and... Winters in the spring of shade and even being planted near black.! Took me years to get rid of every part of it in my garden shady gardens and woodland.. Whorled like spokes of a bicycle around the stem they come in contact with the soil spreading or. A treasured plant for me and took me years to get rid every. Forms a thick carpet popular groundcover options and grow in whorls around the stems summer if located in a area... 8 to 12 '' tall and feature fragrant, delicate groundcover for dark! Is easily grown in moist, well-drained soil and can be allowed to roam freely but will.! Common Name ( s ): Galium odoratum, like catnip, is easily grown in,! Greater width ) spread aggressively odoratum ) is an aromatic perennial is sweet woodruff invasive zones 4 through 8 is! Leaves, whorled like spokes of a bicycle around the stem is assertive, it requires very maintenance!