Galium odoratum - Sweet Woodruff - Plant

Description

• Rubiaceae
• North Asia and Europe to North Africa
• H 0.2m L x 0.5m
• Z5
• Perennial
  
• 1 rooted plant bare root, available during fall and winter
  

Details

Galium odoratum grow naturally in the forests where it develops into dense mats covered with small white flowers in May. It is interesting in fresh areas of a garden to create dense mats of tender green vegetation, especially under the trees.

Sweet Woodruff contains a high concentration of coumarin, which gives to the plant a vanilla scent (appearing only after drying). You may use it for flavoring drinks, liqueurs, fruit wines, and infusions, for perfuming the house with potpourri or perfuming linen in wardrobes (also a repellent against insects). In the Middle Ages, the plant was used to treat wounds, cuts, and digestive and liver problems. Its medicinal properties are Antispasmodic, Cardiac, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, and Sedative. Nowadays, it is known against insomnia, nervousness, circulatory disorders, and hepatic disorders. The roots of Sweet Woodruff can be used as a source of Dye for reds and apricots with very high light and wash fastness - like its cousin Madder.

We love this is a small plant, easy to grow, very aesthetic during its long flowering period and until late fall for its nice dense vegetation, interesting and original with its vanilla scent, and of multiple uses. Little known from gardeners, we advise to try this plant.