Galium odoratum.
Sweet Woodruff is aptly named - a sweet, well-mannered little herb that works well as a herbal ground cover. Sweet Woodruff has glossy dark green leaves and small star-shaped white flowers. Flowers are delicately scented and bloom in May and June.
Plants emit a strong odor of fresh hay and vanilla when foliage is crushed or cut. Sweet Woodruff is an
aromatic herb with foliage even more fragrant when dried. Thus, dried leaves are popularly used in sachets or potpourris. Sweet Woodruff is also a moth repellent and works wonderfully in closets and drawers to ward off insects while infusing your clothing with its sweet scent.
In Germany, Sweet Woodruff is one of the ingredients in May wine, a traditional wine made to celebrate the Spring season. Sweet Woodruff also has
medicinal value. When brewed into a tea, Sweet Woodruff aids in digestion and is a natural remedy for insomnia. The plant contains sedative, antispasmodic and laxative properties that have been appreciated in traditional medicine for centuries.
Fragrant ground covers are a wonderful addition to any garden. Try planting Sweet Woodruff along with other low light covers such as
Catmint (Nepeta) and
Feverfew.
Galium odoratum
Characteristics: Sweet Woodruff is an interesting herb with
medicinal and
culinary uses. It is very easy to grow, given the right conditions:
Light: Sweet woodruff will burn up in very very hot sunny weather. If you live in the desert or a hot dry climate, be sure it gets a little shade.
Water: This fragrant herb likes moist soil, but not constantly wet. It will not tolerate extreme periods of drought.
Soil: Sweet woodruff likes well-draining soil. Plant in friable garden loam.
Use: Commonly used as a groundcover, Sweet Woodruff has a very sweet scent and is commonly used in potpourris, sachets, and other dried crafts.
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Medicinal Herbs
