Plant DetailShow Menu

Galium odoratum

Phonetic Spelling
GAL-ee-um oh-dor-AY-tum
Description

Sweet woodruff is a flowering herbaceous perennial in the coffee family and is native to north Africa, Asia and Europe. The genus name comes from the Greek word gala meaning milk as the flowers were used to curdle milk in cheese making. This plant grows along the ground or climbs over other plants and has sweet-smelling foliage and flowers. It can grow 6- 12 inches tall and up to 2 feet in length and spreads by rhizomes and seeds.

Its preference is for moist well-drained fertile soil in part to full shade. It will need to be watered during dry spells in summer to prevent it from going dormant. It can be somewhat aggressive under optimal growing conditions. Plants can be mowed with a rotary mower set high if necessary to maintain growth. Useful in herb gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover or edging plant. They tolerate heavy shade and even being planted near black walnuts.  

Lance-shaped dark green leaves form whorls of 6-8 around, squarish stems.   The leaves smell like freshly mowed hay when crushed and dried and are often used in potpourri or sachets.  The white flowers are showy, fragrant and edible. They have a sweet, nutty, vanilla flavor. Flowers can have a blood-thinning effect if eaten in large amounts. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#white flowers#fragrant leaves#edible flowers#edging#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#groundcover#edible garden#edible leaves#naturalized area#weed#shade tolerant#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#white flowers#fragrant leaves#edible flowers#edging#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#groundcover#edible garden#edible leaves#naturalized area#weed#shade tolerant#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Galium
    Species:
    odoratum
    Family:
    Rubiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in perfumes
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North Africa, Asia, Europe
    Distribution:
    Eastern USA and pacific northwest
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Climbing Method:
    Scrambler
    Edibility:
    Used to flavor teas and fruit drinks
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is covered in hooked bristles that adhere to fur and clothes
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small white 4-petaled flowers in cymes in the spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Green whorled leaves are 3/4 to 2 inches long and consist of 6-9 leaves. Margins are entire and crushed leaves are aromatic
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    Yes
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Thin, weak green stems sprawl on the ground or climb other plants
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Weedy