Lawn Guardian

Sweet Woodruff Care Guide

Galium odoratum

ground_coverZones 4–8deer resistant

Delicate woodland ground cover with whorls of emerald leaves and tiny starry white flowers in spring. Fragrant when dried (smells of fresh-mown hay). Excellent for deep shade.

At a glance

Season-by-season care

Spring

Enjoy spring bloom Spring

Tiny white starry flowers create a lovely carpet in the shade garden. Fragrant when dried.

Summer

Water during drought During dry spells

Sweet woodruff goes dormant or looks shabby in dry conditions. Water to maintain appearance.

Fall

Edge to control spread Fall

Sweet woodruff spreads by underground runners. Keep contained with edging.

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Related plants

Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns