Galium odoratum

About Galium odoratum

Galium odoratum, Sweet woodruff is a small, mat-forming, vigorous rhizomatous perennial growing to 20cm (8in). It is widely cultivated for its flowers and sweet-smelling foliage. Sweet woodruff spreads by creeping roots and self-seeding, forming an attractive ground cover in moist, shady areas. It is a very ornamental plant that prefers moist, calcareous, alkaline soil in shade or semi-shade. It can tolerate very acidic and very alkaline soils and dry soils. In dry soils with full sun, the leaves quickly become scorched. The coumarin-scented leaves (like freshly mown hay) can be used as a flavouring in cold drinks or added to fruit salads. They can be used raw or cooked. An aromatic tonic, ‘Maitrank,’ is made by soaking the leaves in white wine with orange and pineapple. The green-dried leaves and flowers make a deliciously fragrant tea. The sweet-scented flowers, available mid-spring to summer, are eaten or used as a garnish. In optimum growing conditions, it is aggressive, spreading rapidly and becoming invasive. Its growth rarely harms other plants above 60cm (2ft) as they grow through it. It is an ideal carpeting plant for bulbs to grow through. Native Range: Northern Africa, Asia, Europe. Naturalised in scattered locations in the United States and Canada. Harvesting: Leaves and flowers are harvested in spring to early summer when they are fresh and aromatic. Flowers from mid-spring to early summer. Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

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