Sweet Woodruff Galium Odoratum 1 Gal

Sweet woodruff is a flowering herbaceous plant in the coffee family and is native to north Africa, Asia and Europe. The genus name comes from the Greek word gala meaning milk as the flowers were used to curdle milk in cheese making. This plant grows along the ground or climbs over other plants and has sweet-smelling foliage and flowers. It can grow 6- 12 inches tall and up to 2 feet in length and spreads by rhizomes and seeds.

Its preference is for moist well-drained fertile soil in part to full shade. It will need to be watered during dry spells in summer to prevent it from going dormant. It can be somewhat aggressive under optimal growing conditions. Plants can be mowed with a rotary mower set high if necessary to maintain growth. Useful in herb gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover or edging plant. They tolerate heavy shade and even being planted near black walnuts.  

Lance-shaped dark green leaves form whorls of 6-8 around, squarish stems.   The leaves smell like freshly mowed hay when crushed and dried and are often used in potpourri or sachets.  The white flowers are showy, fragrant and edible. They have a sweet, nutty, vanilla flavor. Flowers can have a blood-thinning effect if eaten in large amounts.