Sweet woodruff

About Sweet woodruff

Sweet woodruff is a low European groundcover for shade with whorls of bright green leaves and starry white flowers in spring. Both leaves and flowers are fragrant (NC State). It spreads by rhizomes and can be aggressive in good conditions.

Hardy in zones 4-8 (NC State). It can spread aggressively.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Plant in spring or fall in part to deep shade. Water during summer dry spells, or it goes dormant (NC State). Divide to make more; it can be mowed with the mower set high.

Soil

Moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic soil (NC State).

Moist, well-drained, fertile soil (NC State).

Feeding

Water during summer dry spells or it goes dormant (NC State).

Harvest

Blooms in spring. Leave the flowers; just shear the patch if it gets ragged.

In the kitchen

NC State notes the flowers have a sweet, nutty, vanilla flavor and are used to flavor teas and fruit drinks; use only small amounts.

Safety: NC State warns that the flowers can thin the blood if eaten in large amounts.

Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA.