Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)

Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff) is a mat-forming perennial that creates a very attractive ground cover in moist, shady areas. It features small-petaled, scented white flowers in late spring and summer, elegantly rising above a lush carpet of fragrant, lance-shaped, soft emerald-green leaves in whorls. The aromatic intensity of the foliage increases when dried. Thus dried leaves are popularly used in sachets or potpourris.

• • Grows up to 6 in. tall (15 cm) and spreading 12 in. (30 cm).
  • Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in part shade or full shade. It can be somewhat aggressive in optimum growing conditions.
  • Undemanding and virtually pest-free and disease-free, Sweet Woodruff is a welcomed addition to shaded gardens, rock gardens, and naturalized areas. Perfect for plantings under perennials or shrubs, as a groundcover, or for edging.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant!
  • Propagate by seed or division of rhizomes in autumn or early spring

Native to much of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Russia, Western Siberia, Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, China, and Japan.