Galium odoratum

Galium odoratum, commonly known as sweet woodruff, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Rubiaceae family. Native to Europe and Asia, it has also been naturalized in North America. The plant typically grows up to 30 cm tall and features whorls of lance-shaped leaves arranged in a spiral pattern around the stem. These dark green, glossy leaves release a sweet scent when crushed. Sweet woodruff blooms from late spring to early summer, producing small white flowers in clusters at the stem tips. Each flower has four petals and measures about 5 mm in width. This plant prefers moist soil and partial shade but can tolerate full sun if provided with sufficient water. It is a popular choice for ground cover or edging in gardens due to its attractive foliage and delicate flowers. Historically, sweet woodruff has been valued for its medicinal properties, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects. Traditionally, it was used as an herbal remedy for digestive issues, liver problems, kidney stones, headaches, and anxiety disorders, among other ailments. Additionally, sweet woodruff has culinary uses. It is often added, either fresh or dried, to drinks like May wine or lemonade and used in desserts such as ice cream or panna cotta, thanks to its vanilla-like flavor profile. In summary, Galium odoratum is an appealing herbaceous perennial that offers both ornamental and medicinal benefits, making it an excellent addition for any garden enthusiast seeking both beauty and functionality from their plants.

🌳 Sweet woodruff is a popular perennial known for its lush green leaves and small white flowers. It is often used as a ground cover and is particularly valuable in shade and woodland gardens. For added texture and contrasting foliage, consider planting it alongside Japanese forest grass, lamium, and various types of foam flowers.

🎭 Humility

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Perennial, Annual

Genus

Galium

Family

Rubiaceae

Hardiness Zone

4-8

Mature Height

30 cm to 49 cm

Mature Spread

30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

White

Flower Size

0.51 cm to 0.76 cm

Bloom Time

Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer

Planting Time

Spring

Harvest Time

Early summer, Mid summer

Native Area

Turkey, Sweden, Austria, Slovakia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Croatia, Belarus, Russia, Germany, Estonia, Koppen, South Korea, Latvia, Romania, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, China, Lithuania, Norway, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Finland, Iran, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Algeria, Azerbaijan

Tags (14)

Common Names (11)