Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum)
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❤️ Why you'll love it
A low-growing, shade-loving perennial ground cover valued for its delicate foliage and spring flowers. It forms spreading mats of whorled, bright green leaves, typically reaching 10–20 cm in height, making it well suited to woodland gardens and shaded borders. When dried, the foliage develops a distinct sweet, hay-like fragrance due to natural coumarin content. Traditionally, this has been used to scent linens, potpourri, and drinks such as May wine in parts of Europe.
🌿 Details
How to look after Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) in the UK
Position & Light:
Grow in partial or full shade. Sweet woodruff is a low-growing, shade-loving perennial ground cover with whorls of bright green leaves and clouds of tiny, starry white flowers in late spring. It suits shady borders, woodland gardens, under trees and shrubs and as a living carpet, and is valued for its sweet, hay-like scent when dried.
Soil & Watering:
Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Sweet woodruff tolerates most soils, including chalk, but dislikes drying out in summer. Water regularly after planting and in dry spells. Mulch with leaf mould or compost to retain moisture and mimic woodland conditions.
Feeding:
No feeding is needed. A mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn is plenty.
Pruning & Maintenance:
It spreads by creeping stems to form a dense carpet. Cut back old growth in late winter or after flowering to tidy plants. Divide and replant in spring or autumn to make new plants, and remove excess growth to keep it in check. The leaves smell of new-mown hay when dried, and are traditionally used to flavour drinks, but use only in small amounts, and seek advice before using any plant medicinally.
Common Problems:
- Leaf scorch: Caused by hot sun or dry soil. Provide shade and water well.
- Spreading: Can spread widely. Remove unwanted stems.
- Few flowers: Too much deep shade. Provide dappled light.
- Browning in summer: Natural in dry weather. Water well and new growth will return.
- Pests: Mostly trouble-free.
Supplied bare root, carefully packed with a moisture source to ensure freshness.
Plant height: approximately 10cm.
Please remember that most plants (except Evergreens) are dormant in Autumn/Winter so your order may have no leaves until Spring.
🪴 What Does Bare Root Mean?
Our plants have their full root systems but are carefully removed from the pot and soil before delivery.
The roots are wrapped in moist material and eco-friendly packaging to keep them fresh during transit.
It's less messy, reduces waste, and allows the plant to settle into your garden more easily once planted.
🌱 Sustainably Grown in Britain
Plants are sustainably grown and harvested at our nursery in the South West UK, without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
Packaged using biodegradable materials for an eco-conscious delivery.
📜 Certified & Compliant
We are APHA-authorized for Plant Passports: your assurance that our plants are healthy, pest-free, and meet UK plant health regulations.
🚚 Combined Postage & Fast Dispatch
No extra delivery charge when you buy multiple plants from us! Simply add all the plants you love to your basket and pay one flat delivery fee at checkout.
Shipped via UPS Express, so they are in transit for less than 24 hours: includes care cards tailored to each plant you order.
Orders are sent out at the beginning of each week to reduce time in transit,
see Delivery information.
📌 Planting Advice
Upon arrival, plant immediately in a cool, shaded spot (indoors or outdoors) and water thoroughly.
Once new growth appears, move to the final growing location.
💚 Our Guarantee
If your plant doesn't survive delivery*, just send us a photo and we'll send a replacement (or issue a refund).
No hassle, no worries.
* provided you accept the first delivery attempt