Description
Galium odoratum, commonly called sweet woodruff, is a mat-forming perennial that is most often grown as a ground cover in shady areas.
Galium odoratum, sweetscented bedstraw, is a flowering perennial plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to much of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Russia, as well as Western Siberia, Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, China and Japan.
Plant Specifications
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%
Common Name |
sweet woodruff,sweetscented bedstraw |
Maximum Reachable Height |
0.50 to 1.00 feet |
Flower Colour |
green |
Bloom Time |
April to May |
Difficulty Level |
easy to grow |
Planting and care
To start sweet woodruff indoors, spread the seeds evenly in the growing container and lightly cover the top with peat moss. Water the container and then place it into your refrigerator for two weeks. After you have chilled the sweet woodruff seeds, place them in a cool, lighted area (50 F. (10 C.).
Galium odoratum care
Image result for sweet woodruff how to grow and care To direct sow sweet woodruff, in early spring simply spread the seeds over the area that you wish to grow them and lightly cover the area with sifted soil or peat moss. Then water the area. To start sweet woodruff indoors, spread the seeds evenly in the growing container and lightly cover the top with peat moss.
Sunlight |
Part shade to full shade |
Watering |
Medium to wet |
Soil |
well-drained soil |
Temperature |
70 degree F |
Fertilizer |
Apply any organic fertilizer |
Galium odoratum special feature
Useful in herb gardens, rock gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover or edging plant.
Galium odoratum uses
Culinary Use:
- The agreeable odour of Sweet Woodruff is due to a crystalline chemical principle called Coumarin, which is used in perfumery, not only on account of its own fragrance, but for its property of fixing other odours
- It is the odorous principle also present in melilot, tonka beans, and various other plants belonging to the orders Leguminosae, Graminae and Orchidaceae