A very pretty delicate plant that makes an excellent ground cover for shady areas. In shade it produces rich dark leaves and bright white flowers in late spring to early summer. Once established it needs almost no care and is an excellent choice to mix with spring flowering bulbs which can come up through this plant. Very cold hardy to zone 3 (some say 2) but does not do well in hot areas. Will not grow under pine trees. Foliage has a lovely scent of new mown hay which increases when the plant is dried. Germination can be erratic and slow in Sweet woodruff, this is not a seed for beginners.
Description
Plant produces slender square stems that hold whorls of small dark green leaves
that are lance shaped (lanceolate) and have tiny rough edges (ciliate). Successive
whorls of 6-8 leaves grow around the stalk like tiny stars. Stems usually grow
to about 6"-8" but can be as tall as 12". The flowers are produced
at the ends of the stems in late spring to early summer (May and June in zone
6). The flowers are white, tube shaped with four petals and arranged in small
groups known as loose cymes. They have an aroma of sweet hay which increases
as they dry out. The seeds when ripe look like rough balls which are thickly
covered with flexible, hooked bristles, white below, but black-tipped, and these
catch on to the fur and feathers of any animal or bird that pushes through the
undergrowth, and thus the seed is dispersed. The plant has a creeping root stock
that allows the plant to spread. It is hardy to zone 3.
Location and care
This little perennial needs shade. It makes an excellent ground cover in for
shady locations and will often spread rapidly once established. It does great
beneath deciduous trees where there is a little light penetration but not too
much. Under these conditions the leaves are a deep glossy green. Cannot tolerate
full sun at any time. The more sunshine it gets the leaves turn paler green,
then yellow and will crisp in full strong sunshine. Will not grow under pine
trees or any other coniferous tree.
It likes a good rich soil which is most commonly found under trees due to the
leaf mulch. If not add organic material to the soil before planting, then don't
rake leaves from its location. Will tolerate soils in a pH range of 4.3 to 8.3.
Soil should be well drained as Sweet Woodruff cannot tolerate wet or waterlogged
soils even for a short period.
Extremely cold hardy will tolerate temperatures down to 13 F (-25°c). but
does not do well in hot climates. Not recommended to zones below 7.5.
Tolerates poor air conditions well so is excellent for city gardens or those
close to road provided there is a lot of shade.
The creeping root systems spread out close to the top of the soil so do not
hoe, rake or use other soil destroying tools around the plants as it will cut
the roots. Alternatively if trying to control the plant using a rake or edging
tool to cut roots will keep them from spreading.
Will need some weeding until established as plants grow thinly at first and
other plants can easily grow through them. Little other care is needed once
plants are established.
Growing
Germination can be erratic and slow in Sweet woodruff, this is not a seed for
beginners. Seeds can be sown directly on the ground in mid to late fall for
early spring germination or they can be started indoors in late winter for spring
planting.
Seeds do better with a period of cold before sowing. All our seeds have been
stratified. Sow in good starter mix with a lot of organic material and place
in a shady area. Do not place under grow lights. This is a shade plant and it
does not like a lot of light even when germinating. Keep soil moist until the
seeds germinate. This can be anywhere from ten days to three
months depending
on conditions. For this reason we suggest you use plug trays where each seed
can have its own space and removing a germinated seedling does not disturb those
that have not yet germinated. If seeds have not germinated by time of last frost
date place trays can be placed outside in a shady area provided they are kept
moist.
Transplant larger seedling to individual pots and again keep in shady area.
Plant out when they are about 4-6" and look sturdy enough. Transplant out
to well prepared shady area and water in well. Space plants about 12" apart.
Water daily (if no rain) until established. Once established plants should not
really need much in the way of additional water unless soil is extremely well
draining (such as sand) or there is a drought.
Unusual Aroma.
While the aroma of majority of the herbs disappears when they dry out, the sweet
hay scent of sweet woodruff actually becomes stronger when the plant is dried
and it also lasts for several years. This is attributed to the plants production
of coumarin.
Edible Uses
The leaves are edible raw or cooked. They have the scent of new mown hay (know
as coumarin scented). The plant can be used to make cool summer drinks or added
to fruit salads. The leaves also make a pleasant tea that is drunk as a tonic.
The flowers can be used as a garnish.
Medicinal Uses.
Sweet woodruff has been used since the middle ages for many ailments particularly
for digestive and liver problems. Today it is still used as a tonic and is very
popular in Germany where it is used to flavor a spring wine used as such a tonic.
An infusion of the leaves is used to treat insomnia and nervous tension, varicose
veins, biliary obstruction, varicose veins, insomnia, hepatitis and jaundice.
Sweet woodruff contains a substance known as coumarin which act to prevent the
clotting of blood and the herb is actually grown and used to make such an anticoagulant
drug. Therefore it should not be used if you are already taking an anticoagulant,
are on medication for circulatory disorders or are pregnant.
Other Uses:
Several different dyes are obtained from this plant. A red one from the roots
and grey-green and soft-tan from the leaves and stems. The scent that sweet
woodruff produces increases when the plant dries making it very aromatic. It
has long been used to perfume homes, placed in cupboards and closets to produce
a pleasant scent and repel insects. In the middle ages it was used as a strewing
herb on floors and in churches. Today it is used more in potpourris, sachets,
garlands, wreaths and herb pillows
Other Names.
Master of the Woods, Sweet Woodruff, Waldmeister, Woodruff, Woodward