{"product_id":"sweet-woodruff","title":"Sweet Woodruff","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Fragrant Shade Carpet That Thrives Under Minnesota Trees\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet Woodruff (\u003cem\u003eGalium odoratum\u003c\/em\u003e) is the classic groundcover for shade, spreading into a soft green carpet topped with dainty, star-shaped white flowers in spring. Crush the foliage and it releases a sweet scent of fresh-cut hay and vanilla. It thrives in the cool, shaded ground beneath oaks and maples where lawn struggles, knitting together quickly to smother weeds. A deer-resistant, fragrant favorite for shade gardens in St. Paul, Maple Grove, and Roseville.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSweet Woodruff Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGalium odoratum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 in. tall, spreading indefinitely as a groundcover\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid to late spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite, star-shaped\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers moist, organic soil; amend clay with compost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed — fragrant foliage deters deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSweet hay-and-vanilla scent when foliage is crushed or dried\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShade groundcover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carpets the difficult ground under trees and along the north side of the house. Plant the tray of 10 about 8–12 inches apart for quick coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoodland and rain-edge gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loves cool, moist, organic soil and pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas, and astilbe. It spreads to fill space — give it room or edge it to contain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into cool, moist shade. Keep it watered through establishment — woodruff dislikes hot, dry conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Sweet Woodruff\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoosen the soil and mix in compost to boost organic matter. Set each plug level with the soil, 8–12 inches apart, water in well, and mulch lightly with shredded leaves or bark to retain moisture. It will knit together within a season or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Sweet Woodruff\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep consistently moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then as needed to prevent drying out. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water during dry spells; in cool, shaded sites natural rainfall often suffices. It may go semi-dormant if summer turns hot and dry, then rebound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it grow in dry shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt prefers moist shade, but tolerates drier shade once established — just expect slower spread and occasional summer dieback in very dry spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it aggressive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt spreads steadily to form a carpet. In the right spot that's a feature; near choice plants, edge it to keep it contained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the fragrant foliage is generally left alone by deer and rabbits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — hardy to zone 4 and reliably perennial across the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved shade staple to pair with the fine woodruff foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLady Fern (Athyrium):\u003c\/strong\u003e A graceful native fern for the same moist shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBarrenwort (Epimedium):\u003c\/strong\u003e Another deer-resistant shade groundcover.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"4\" (tray of 10)","offer_id":54315491000625,"sku":null,"price":68.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/sweet-woodruff.jpg?v=1779727883","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/sweet-woodruff","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}