Sweet woodruff is a shade-loving groundcover that’s sweetly scentedand tougher than it looks.
Sweet woodruffmakes a big statement in almost any shade garden.
For one, the low-growing groundcover is adorned with tiny white blossoms each spring.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Sweet woodruff is a coffee (Rubiaceae) family member and anherbaceous perennialhardy in zones 4-9.
Sweet woodruff is unbothered.
Sweet woodruff is often used as a quick-spreading groundcover in cottage and rock gardens.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
It grows beautifullybetween stepping stonesor along adry creek bedor the border of a path.
Sweet woodruff is not classified as invasive but can grow aggressively in moist, loamy soil.
If control is a concern, know that the woodland garden favorite is best behaved in moderately dry shade.
Credit: Randall Schieber
Place the plant in the hole and replace the displaced soil.
Tamp the soil down gently to remove air pockets and water well.
If planting more than one sweet woodruff plant, place them 10 to 12 inches apart.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Sweet Woodruff Care Tips
Sweet woodruff is an herbaceous perennial native to Europe and North Africa.
The aromatic groundcover requires little care but does not tolerate drought.
Light
Sweet woodruff prefers full to partial shade.
Credit: David Nevala
It can tolerate some sun exposure but may go dormant or perish in hot summer months.
Infull sun, the soft, aromatic leaves may also scorch.
Sweet woodruff will also grow in clay or sandy soils (but less prolifically).
Thefast-spreading, shade-loving groundcoverlikes medium to wet soil and may go dormant if the soil dries out.
If you want to encourage growth, water your sweet woodruff whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
It fares best in temperatures between 68 and 95 Fahrenheit.
Julie Mikos.
Prolongedexposure to high temperatures(or sun) may cause bleaching, sunburn, curling, or early dormancy.
In extreme cases, the plant may wilt and die.
Extreme cold (below 0 ) may diminish flowering and sprouting the following year.
Pruning
Sweet woodruff does not require pruning.
It does, however, spread easily via rhizomes and seeds.
Left unchecked, it may grow aggressively and overwhelm other plants.
To reduce spreading, hand pull unwanted growth or mow your sweet woodruff withsharp blades set on high.
If pulling, loosen the soil around the roots to remove the rhizomes.
Otherwise, the delicate stems can easily snap and leave the roots behind to grow again.
Mowing will not eliminate established sweet woodruff, but it will keep it from spreading.
Just be sure to pair it withplants that prefer moist to moderately wet, well-drained soil.
Plan to repot and/or divide container-grown sweet woodruff every 2 to 3 years in the spring.
Replant each section and water well.
Slugs can also be a nuisance but are easily deterred with a sprinkling of diatomaceous earth.
How to Propagate Sweet Woodruff
The most efficient way to propagate sweet woodruff is via division.
In the spring or fall, carefully dig around your plant.
Loosen the soil to lift the plant without damaging the root system.
Replant the sections at least 10 to 12 inches apart.
Seed propagation, on the other hand, produces less consistent results.
Keep the soil evenly moist and cross your fingers for germination.
Sow the seeds in a seed-starter mix and keep them at room temperature for 2 weeks.
Cover them and refrigerate them for 4 to 6 weeks.
During the cold stratification, keep the soil evenly moist.
If successful, plant your seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
Columbine flowers resemble folded paper lanterns and attract pollinatorsespecially hummingbirdsfrom far and wide.
Columbine thrives in sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil (in zones 3-9).
The plants are short-lived but self-seed readily.
To prevent self-seeding,deadhead your columbine plantsafter they bloom.
It has distinctive bloomer-like blossoms which give it its amusing name (and make it easy to recognize).
Like sweet woodruff, this spring flower likes consistently moist, well-drained soil.
It preferscool areas with partial to full shadeand protection from the harsh afternoon sun.
The perennial prefers partial shade and moist,well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
To successfully grow hostas, you need shade; rich, loamy, well-drained soil; and ample rainfall.
Once established, however, they are a breeze to maintain (in zones 3-9).
Unlike sweet woodruff, Canadian wild ginger is native to North America.
Wild ginger spreads slowly by rhizomes to create a lush groundcover inmedium to wet, well-drained soil.
Primarily grown for ornamental use, wild ginger is not a relative of culinary ginger.
However, its roots have a strong ginger-like odor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, sweet woodruff is deer and rabbit-resistant.
For this reason, it is often planted between pavers and at the edge of walkways.
Sweet woodruff is occasionally used as a culinary herb in spirits, wine, tea, and ice cream.
you could also harvest sprigs of sweet woodruff to add to wreaths, potpourris, and sachets.
Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
