Sweet Woodruff

You recognize sweet woodruff by its fragrant, lance-shaped, dark green leaves arranged in whorls of 6-8 along square stems, typically growing 8-12 inches tall and spreading 1-2 feet by rooted runners. In spring, you'll see small, fragrant, 4-petaled white flowers appearing in loose clusters. The plant has a strong scent of freshly mown hay when foliage is crushed or cut, a scent that intensifies on wilting and persists when dried. This European native spreads by both creeping roots and self-seeding to form attractive ground cover in moist, shady areas.

Sweet woodruff easily grows in average to rich, moist, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. It prefers consistently moist, organically rich soils and will need frequent watering during dry summers to prevent dormancy. The plant can be somewhat aggressive under optimum growing conditions; where restraint is necessary, mow with a rotary mower on high setting. Tolerates heavy shade and can be planted near black walnuts. Spreads by crown division, separation of rooted stems, or digging up barely submerged perimeter stolons. Powdery mildew has been documented; monitor foliage in humid conditions.