The best time to do this is in the spring or fall. … Then, either sow them directly into the ground in early spring or start them indoors up to 10 weeks before your area’s last frost.

How do you winterize sweet woodruff?

To winterize your woodruff, wait until after the first killing frost. Once it’s occurred, spread a layer of mulch about 12 inches deep over your sweet woodruff plants. The mulch is for insulation purposes only and need not be fancy — straw, mulched leaves or grass clippings will all work well.

What ground cover can I plant in the fall?

Only the most reliable, fast–spreading and reasonably priced ground covers should be considered for large areas. Monkey grass or mondo grass, creeping lily turf (liriope) and Japanese ardisia are good choices for shade-to-part-shade areas, although many liriope perform well in full sun also.

How quickly does sweet woodruff spread?

It can easily push out from the original planting at a rate of up to 18 inches (45 cm) a year, at least where conditions are to its liking.

Will sweet woodruff choke out other plants?

I particularly dislike sweet woodruff because its extremely rapidly growing root system grows through the root systems of perennials and shrubs rather than upto or around, making it virtually impossible to completely remove from infested plants without trashing them.

Is sweet woodruff a perennial?

Galium odoratum, commonly called sweet woodruff, is a mat-forming perennial that is most often grown as a ground cover in shady areas. Plants typically grow 8-12″ tall and feature fragrant, lance-shaped, dark green leaves in whorls of 6-8 along square stems.

Should sweet woodruff be cut back in the fall?

Sweet Woodruff has delicate green foliage. Each thin stem is surrounded by whorls of simple green leaves, with a few inches of space between each whorl. … The foliage of Sweet Woodruff dies back to the ground in late autumn. The dried foliage is very fine and can simply be raked away in the late fall or early spring.

How invasive is sweet woodruff?

Sweet woodruff spreads by runners. In moist soil, it can spread very quickly and can become invasive in the right conditions. It is often recommended that you plant sweet woodruff ground cover in an area that you would not mind seeing naturalized by sweet woodruff.

Does sweet woodruff stay green in winter?

Sweet woodruff forms a dense groundcover, growing on a creeping rhizome. The squarish stems grow about 40cm (6-12”) tall. The bright green, narrow, rough textured leaves are arranged in whorls around the stems. The foliage dies back to the ground in most winters in the Midwest and reappears early in spring.

Is sweet woodruff a shade plant?

odoratum is an Old World species, hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8. Sweet woodruff prefers moist, rich soil in partial to full shade but will tolerate dry and less-than-optimal soils.

Article first time published on

Can I plant ground cover in October?

This is just about the only time you can plant California natives, and most drought-resistant plants do best planted in the fall. But all trees and shrubs and ground covers thrive when planted in the fall. … All California natives, including wildflowers, from seed. Most shrubs, trees, ground covers and vines.

What ground cover can be planted in winter?

Non-legumes such as barley, rye, and oats can also be planted as a winter cover crop; they won’t provide as much nitrogen as legumes, but they will add large amounts of organic matter and help choke out weeds.

Can you plant ground cover in August?

But where do you begin when transforming a blank slate into a lush planting? To get my ground covers started off on the right foot, I plant them in spring or early summer so they have a chance to root well and are less likely to heave out of the ground in winter.

How do you stop sweet woodruff from spreading?

Water. While sweet woodruff grows most vigorously in damp to wet soil conditions, it also tolerates dry shade. To prevent it from spreading too invasively, only water the plant in times of prolonged drought.

How far apart do you plant sweet woodruff?

Plant the divisions about 12 inches apart and keep them well-watered until they have become established. You can direct sow seeds in our garden in the spring or late summer. Barely cover them with soil and keep them watered until they germinate.

Will deer eat sweet woodruff?

Sweet Woodruff Plant Features This easy-care ground cover grows just 6-8 inches tall and will quickly fill in bare spots in woodland gardens or shady borders. Plant sweet woodruff and let it ramble around taller perennials such as hosta and hellebore. … This rugged ground cover is also deer resistant.

Will sweet woodruff grow back?

And the following spring, it will once again produce its lovely blooms. Sweet woodruff is easy to propagate or relocate by simply lifting a section of the plant, severing it with a shovel and moving the clump to a new location.

Is sweet woodruff poisonous to dogs?

Plants such as ornamental grasses and daylilies can stand up to dogs’ wear and tear, as can herbs including ground-cover thyme, scented geraniums and sweet woodruff. … It’s also important to know that some plants such as lily of the valley and rhododendrons are harmful for animals.

Do rabbits eat sweet woodruff?

Rose moss (Portulaca grandiflora) Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) [seedlings only] Sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius) Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum)

How do you keep Woodruff sweet?

Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil – weekly, or more often. Provide average, moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly during the growing season to maintain evenly moist soil. Dry-shade tolerant, when well-established.

How tall does Woodruff grow?

They grow to roughly 30cm / 1ft high. Galium odoratum can be invasive in some conditions. They can easily spread to more than 1m (3ft 3in) if not kept under control. They spread via underground rhizomes.

Is sweet woodruff the same as cleavers?

Sweet Woodruff is a helpful herb for insect and moth repellents, but unlike Cleavers it contains substances which can be poisonous in very large doses. Sweet Woodruff is also a perennial that will stay close to the same area year after year, while annual Cleavers get spread around because of the sticky stems and seeds.

Is sweet woodruff good for erosion control?

genus nameGalium odoratumseason featuresSpring Bloom Summer Bloomproblem solversGroundcover Slope/Erosion Control

Is Woodruff an evergreen?

6 Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a wiry thing of a plant that loves deep shade and is covered in scented white flowers in late spring. … Thick, paddle-shaped evergreen leaves are crowned in clusters of flowers above the foliage in spring. Perfect under shrubs.

How do you use Woodruff?

The herb is also a popular German addition to bowles (spiked punch), jellies, sorbets, creams, and salads, and for those tea drinkers among you, sweet woodruff is said to make a great cup of tea. Steep one teaspoon of dried or fresh leaves in one cup of boiling water.

Is it OK to plant ground cover in the fall?

Planting Groundcovers. … In areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters, plant in fall; the winter rains will help get the plants off to a good start. Though ground covers are tough, they’ll grow and spread more quickly if you prepare the planting area carefully.

What do you do with ground cover in the fall?

If there is a light covering of leaves on your lawn, you can mow right over them and leave the chopped-up leaves on the lawn. They will work their way down into the grass and serve as a light mulch that helps add life to the soil, which in turn helps feed the lawn.

What is the hardiest ground cover?

Under even the most unforgiving of conditions, lamium prevails. This vining plant, also known as dead nettles, can tolerate cold, heat, drought, and is deer-resistant. There are more than 40 species of lamium, but the best are those that are flowering perennials like the Pink Chablis.

Should I cover my garden in the winter?

Most soil should not be left uncovered. Keeping the soil covered is key to soil health. While it’s now too late in most of the state to plant a cover crop that will die over the winter, there’s still time to plant a winter cereal like rye, wheat or triticale.

Should I tarp my garden for winter?

Commercial garden fabric, burlap, or tarps make useful winter protection. Ideally, these items should shield the plants without touching them. The materials become wet and then freeze, which can damage the plant underneath. So, using stakes or a frame to hold the fabric around the plants is your best bet.

What is the lowest growing evergreen ground cover?

Creeping juniper (Juniper horizontalis): There are many different cultivars of this low-growing needled evergreen bush that are used as groundcovers. Reaching about 18 inches in height, creeping juniper varieties are resistant to both deer and rabbits, and require very little maintenance.