What is it?
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is best summed up by Somerset nursery Plants For Shade, whose description runs: “Mythical thug for a shady spot where it can spread and display its fragrant white flowers in spring.” Leaves arranged in a star shape appear first in early spring, followed by tiny starry flowers in April and May.
Plant it with?
This low-growing plant makes fantastic carpet-like ground cover under trees and shrubs where little else will thrive – or use it to camouflage the foliage of snowdrops as it fades.
And where?
I grow mine in a strip of soil surrounded on all sides by paths, so it can’t get out of bounds. It is reputed to favour moist environs, but it doesn’t seem bothered by my dry soil.
Any drawbacks?
If plants that spread bring you out in a cold sweat this is probably best avoided.
What else can it do?
Woodruff has a rich back story of medicinal use and religious meaning, but for our purposes it’s useful to know the leaves have a wonderful hay-like scent when pulled up and dried – perfect for pot-pourri or a herb pillow. And if you don’t like the scent of mothballs, keep sachets of it among your clothes as a moth deterrent.
