Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff (Asperula Odorata or Galium Odoratum) - Sweet woodruff herb plants have whorled leaves and small vanilla-scented white flowers in spring. Many people use sweet woodruff as a ground cover due to its low growing nature and spreading habit. Sweet burdock, meaning the whole plant, when dried has the smell of spring grass. The leaves and flower stems are used from this perennial herb which is grown from herb seeds.

Sweet Woodruff prefers a semi-shady spot that's protected from the sun during the hottest part of the day. Shallow rooted and preferring rich, porous soil, it is a good choice near trees, or in problem areas where there are tree roots or other obstructions, like rocks, close to the soil surface. It likes moist conditions, and given enough water will grow to a nice low height of about 8 inches. If it starts to wilt, provide mulch and additional water. Unfortunately, for the indoor herb gardener, sweet woodruff is not well suited for growing indoors.

Sweet woodruff herb plants are natural insect repellents. Many people plant woodruff around roses and peonies if kept away from their stems. It is also effective indoors when dried and placed under carpets, in pet bedding, and in your linen closet. Sweet woodruff works as an inexpensive fixative and fragrance enhancer in potpourri. It is also reputed to help heal minor wounds, and makes a refreshing tea that can sooth an upset stomach, used to treat migraines, nervous conditions, and other ailments; however, these medical claims need further research.