Sweet Woodruff (Galium)
Perennial
- Aromatic evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage!
- Clusters of small, white flowers bloom above leaves.
- Grows quickly, even in the shade.
- Excellent for steep slopes and beneath trees.
- Zones 4-9, part sun/shade, 12″ tall x 18″ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Buying landscape plugs? Here is how much area they will cover:
- 6" spacing of 32 landscape plugs covers 6 sq feet
- 8" spacing covers 7.5 sq feet
- 10" spacing covers 11 sq feet
- 12" spacing covers 16 sq feet
Details
Common name: Sweet woodruff, sweet-scented bedstraw, sweet bedstraw
Zone: 4 - 9
Sun exposure: Part-sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (< 4 hours sun)
Height x width: 8-10" X 12-18"
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Spring
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Wet soils, suitable for slopes, rabbit resistant, ground covers, fragrant, deer resistant, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Alpine gardens, edging, erosion control, ground cover, massing, rain garden, rock garden, slopes, underplanting, waterside, woodland
How to Grow
Light: Part-sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (< 4 hours sun)
Water: Medium to wet
Spacing: 10 to 18 inches
Fertilizing: Generally unnecessary in average soils.
Winterizing: No specific care is needed.
Maintenance & pruning: Spreads by creeping roots and self-seeding to form an attractive ground cover in moist, shady areas. To maintain control, plants can be mowed with a rotary mower on a high setting or easily pulled. Dig and move clumps in early spring when new growth appears if desired.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
I was very disappointed with the Sweet Woodruff (Galium) when it arrived. It was mostly dead and mushy. They did give me a refund.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
My plugs showed up during a storm an had to sit for three (3) days in my backyard.
The netting around my new ground cover protected it from curious squirrels and chipmunks digging out the roots (RIP my ferns) and were still amazingly healthy when finally planted.
HIGHLY recommended: this is as good as buying from a local nursery if not better, as every single plug was still very healthy.
Got 32 plugs earlier in the season, and they're all taking pretty nicely! I got 32 plugs just recently, and they were ratty as all get out. They looked moldy, spindly, and/or essentially non-existent. I planted them in hopes that they bounce back, but it was a pretty disappointing shipment. You can see the previously planted ones in the background of one of my photos, looking pretty vibrant and fluffing out a bit.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Purchased 32 landscape plugs. Every plug was healthy and planted as ground cover in an area between my deck and landscape shrubs. The photos show about 6 weeks of growth. All the plugs have rooted in and I can’t wait for them to fill out the area.
This is the beginning of year number three for these guys. They haven't quite got going yet. There were 32 landscape plugs, but as you can see from the photo, growth has been spotty, and many patches have simply died off. Haven't had any small white flowers ever either. (6b)
We're sorry you're unsatisfied. Our customer service would love to hear from you. Please send photos of the plant to [email protected], where we will be happy to assist you! We appreciate your feedback and look forward to helping.
The plants came dead. I haveplanted them lets see if they revive. Waste of money
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to us to start the claims process. We look forward to helping!
I followed instructions to have these seeds germinate but they never did. I checked them after 5 days and then again after 10 days but NONE of the seeds germinated.
I received 2 small plants and one was half dried out. Now about to plant after waiting the recommended time and hooe they make it .
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to us to start the claims process. We look forward to helping!
Healthy, well-packaged stock.
Plus, I get to pick my shipping date!
Only about 3/4 of the plugs had and tops on them ay all. I was disappointed.I couldn’t see any roots.
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary.
The plants arrived in excellent condition, and the beautifully aromatic smell was lovely. Wonderful plants.
Was looking forward to my woodruffs but instead got periwinkle. Hoping to straighten out the mistake.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Came quickly and isin the ground. Fingers crossed it grows like crazy!
They seem to be growing well. I hope they'll spread out soon.
Plants packed really well and roots in excellent condition.
i’m pleased as these seems like they’ll do great. delivery was shipped on the perfect date and came early.
They all died
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Wonderful packaging. Arrived fresh and healthy. They are thriving.
All of these plants are dead after 4-5 months. They were cared for a looked after and did not survive.
We’re sorry you’re having trouble with your plants! Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2026, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
They arrived in good shape.
They look beautiful and healthy. Thank you
Hardy specimens that were well packaged for shipping and easily removed for planting.
Arrived in good condition and can't wait to smell the flowers.
The condition of the plants I ordered was above my expectations! Very full and healthy - all of them are thriving in my garden. Thank you!
Lovely healthy plant
Just received this beautifully packaged order. Healthy plants, and I can't wait to get them in the ground today. Very, very satisfied with Great Garden Plants. This is my second order and everything from the first is growing well.
Sweet Woodruff