Natural Plant Dictionary: Sweet Woodruff

I thought it might be nice to look at some various varieties of herbs, flowers, and veggies here at Blistree Gardening. You’ll know we’re going to take a closer look at a specific plant when you see the “Dictionary” term at the top of a post.

See more images of different varieties

Sweet Woodruff:

GROWING CONDITIONS - Plants best in late summer outside. This is not a good indoor herb. Grows well in shade or partial shade; in New Mexico I forgot this and killed a planter of this herb (you really do need shade – under trees is an excellent place for growing this herb). Grows best when soil is kept moist.

LOOKS – Sweet Woodruff is a beautiful herb. The flowers, which appear in late spring, are brilliant white and adorably star shaped. Plus the leaves on Woodruff are like little tulip shaped clusters in a perfect lightish green.

USES…

Ornamental: I like Sweet Woodruff as a general garden ornament because it’s simple, but pretty, and goes with all sorts of colored flowers well. Since it’s only about 12 inches, you can use it as a ground cover too, and other flowers look cool popping out of a nice bunch of Woodruff. You can actually make really attractive garlands of this herb for weddings or summer birthdays as the stems and roots are thin and easily intertwine.

Potpourri: Woodruff has a hay-like scent and when mixed with other herbs and spices can make a decent potpourri.

Good eatin’: Woodruff is an edible herb. You can use it in salads but it’s not best for that – it makes a better drink – see Berry Grape Pear Woodruff May Punch.

Bug repellent: Place dried leaves in among your clothes to repel moths. You can also sprinkle it crumbled (or ground up) over your carpets, let it sit a bit, and vacuum to deter carpet bugs.

Medicinal uses: Fresh bruised Woodruff leaves can supposedly be applied to wounds to relieve pain and aid healing, although I’ve never tried it. You can make tea with the leaves and drink it to relive stomach pain. You can also make a tincture with it for cuts and scrapes.

What do you think of Sweet Woodruff?

[image via stock.xchng]