Sweet Woodruff

Galium odoratum

Sweet woodruff makes a big statement in the shade garden. In spring, the plants are smothered with white flowers and the foliage has a sweet, haylike fragrance. It makes a great groundcover for hard-to-plant dark corners of the landscape. Sweet woodruff can become invasive if given the right conditions. Plant it where you can control it easily. It does not tolerate drought.

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Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Type:

Herb, Perennial

Height:

6 to 12 inches

Width:

12-18 inches wide

Flower Color:

White

Seasonal Features:

Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom

Problem Solvers:

Groundcover, Slope/Erosion Control

Special Features:

Cut Flowers, Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance

Zones:

4-9

plant sweet woodruff with

Hosta

The fine-texture evergreen foliage of sweet woodruff makes a strong contrast to bold hosta leaves. Both plants are workhorse perennials for shady sites.

Coralbells

Available with foliage in hues ranging from maroon to purple, green, peach, amber, and silver, coralbells bring a dash of color to the shade garden. The glossy green dissected leaves and white blossoms of sweet woodruff team nicely with the bold foliage and airy flower stalks of coralbells.

Rhododendron

Use sweet woodruff as a groundcover around the base of rhododendrons growing in partial shade. The skirt of greenery anchors rhododendrons in the border and sets off springtime rhododendron blooms.

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