Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) - Wildlife-Friendly Woodland Groundcover (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free Super Plugs & 9cm Pots)

Perfect for woodland edges, under shrubs and along shady paths, Sweet Woodruff forms soft mats of whorled foliage topped with airy white stars in late spring. Its open, nectar-bearing flowers offer modest but useful forage for small solitary bees and hoverflies just as shade borders wake up.

It thrives in part to full shade with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil (think leaf-mould and spring moisture, drier in summer). Plants spread gently by creeping rhizomes to make a natural carpet that suppresses weeds without smothering spring bulbs.

Where it thrives

• Part to full shade (beneath deciduous trees, north/east beds)

• Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; add leaf-mould for best results

• Woodland edge, underplanting for shrubs, shady cottage borders, path edges

Planting & care

• Space 25-30 cm apart; water to establish, then keep evenly moist (not waterlogged).

• Mulch annually with leaf-mould/composted bark to mimic woodland litter.

• Trim edges or lift stray runners in spring to keep neat; divide clumps every few years to refresh.

• Semi-evergreen in mild winters; tidy spent stems in early spring.

Status & honesty note:
An ancient woodland indicator in Britain (native in some areas, long-naturalised elsewhere). Chosen here for shade habitat, gentle groundcover and pollinator support in spring.

Fragrance & folklore (truth-first):
Leaves contain coumarin and smell sweetly of new-mown hay when dried - traditionally used in pot-pourri and German “May wine.” Do not ingest in large quantities; enjoy the scent, not the cup.

Joel says…
“For woodland edge and the dark bits under shrubs, Sweet Woodruff is a gift - clean spring stars, a soft carpet and honest shade forage. Add leaf-mould, keep it evenly moist, and let it stitch a natural tapestry. As always, peat-free and pesticide-free.”