Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

23 years ago

I've just read quite a few entries in herb books written about Sweet Woodruff. Normally it's under the botanical name "Galium odoratum" but sometimes can be found under its old botanical name "Asperula odorata."

Unfortunately, I've not been able to find this herb anywhere at all, and most nurseries don't even know it exists.

Can anyone please help me find it in Melbourne?

PS: Haven't used it myself, but on drying it's meant to have a sweet fragrance like vanilla mixed hay (odd, isn't it?) and can be used in punches and as pot pourri.

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Comments (14)

PEBBLES1
23 years ago
New Gippsland seeds and bulbs has it (just checked their online catalogue), they do mail order - just do New Gippsland on a google search (or whatever), and it will take you there!
ilijasx
Original Author
23 years ago
Thank you, Pebbles!

I've gone to the site, and whilst it has the most amazing range of herb seeds, it's got the annoying sales condition of a minimum order of $20.00. What would I do with so many seeds?

Does anyone know of any specialist herb nurseries around Melbourne?
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You people just won't let it go. Talk about beating a dead horse! gardengal48, I mentioned that T&L Nursery was selling butterfly bush and English ivy cultivars because YOU said that you'd be 'surprised' if any responsible nusrery in King County sold them. So what if they only sell 5 cultivars of English ivy? YOU were the one that said no responsible nursery would sell ANY. YOU were the one that decided to use local nursery inventory as the litmus test for invasiveness and to prove your point. And since, as YOU said, nurseries in King County work in close partnership with the Weed Control Board, they wouldn't be selling them if they hadn't done their research. And that supports MY postition that there are responsible choices. Maybe you don't know as much as you think you know, or your information is out of date. Times change, and new cultivars are introduced every day, and unless you have done the research on every single cultivar, you cannot speak with authority on their invasive potential. No responsible horticulturist would make a blanket statement like "English ivy is invasive". In the first place, 'English ivy' is an inaccurate, non-scientific term that lumps all Hedera species, varieties, forms, and cultivars together under one umbrella. Second, a plant's invasive potential is entirely relative, completely dependent upon many intertwined environmental factors as they affect a single plant. One plant may be invasive, but another plant of the same species may not be as invasive because it is not in the same environment. Horticulturists speak of a plant's 'invasive potential'. Bureaucrats make blanket statements that a plant is "invasive". I've had a 'Glacier Ice' cultivar of English ivy in my front flower bed for almost 10 years, and it has never grown more than a few feet in length, nor more than 1 foot around. My Mom, as I said above, has had a Black Knight butterfly bush for almost 20 years, and has had very few seeds grow. I appreciate that you feel an obligation to inform people about this very real threat to our environment, and I applaud your passion. But your opinion is no better than mine. Just because I have a different opinion than yours doesn't make mine "irresponsible". I have made informed recommendations based upon my research on these plants, and that is the very DEFINITION of responsible. Anyone reading this post is free to make up their own mind and if THEY (not YOU) feel like my suggestions are "ill-advised", they can elect to ignore them. If you are worried about the invasive potential of a plant - ANY plant - don't plant it in your yard. But don't tell me what to plant in mine, and don't criticize me for my choices. If I want to be preached to or condemned for my sins, I will go to church.
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ruralpeasant
23 years ago
Hi ilijasx,Pheonix Seeds lists the seeds and you can buy one pkt. at $2.00, however they charge $5.50 for handling.If you don't have luck locating a plant they're email addy is phnxseed@ozemail.com.au
cheers Kurt
Anna_B
23 years ago
This is a difficult one to get hold of, especially as a plant. I have seen it in the Renaissance Herb range but I'm not sure if they still carry it. They have a website and you could contact them to find out. Also, I found this place in Victoria but couldn't ascertain whether they actually sell the plants or are just a display garden. It might be worthwhile contacting them as well and maybe they would be able to let you know where to obtain it if they don't sell it themselves.

http://www.muranna.com.au/herbs.htm
ilijasx
Original Author
23 years ago
WOW!!

Thank you to everyone for your help!!

Actually, Kurt, (aka. "Ruralpeasant") I think I might go with your suggestion, as Phoenix seeds have already been kind enough to send me a catalogue - mind you, do you think I bothered to look in there to see if they carried the seeds before you told me about it.....? Of course not!

Thank you to everyone,

Ilijasx.
sooze
23 years ago
Hi Ilijasx
Hope you have found your seed, but if not I have it growing and you may be able to transplant a piece. This spring it didn't flower and I have no seeds unfortunately. It is a pretty insignificant plant (small comes to mind) and the flowers have only a faint vanilla smell. It scrambles under trees here as a ground cover - I originally bought it for its vanilla perfume, but so far hasn't been that impressive - maybe it takes a while to get going or it would do better in a colder environment with limey soil.
ilijasx
Original Author
23 years ago
Very kind of you, Sooze!!

I noticed that you're profile reads that you are in NSW. However, unless you live in Melbourne I won't be able to take the cutting! Life is so cruel..... :^)

I haven't bought the seeds yet, because, well, I'm too lazy to place the order with Phoenix Seeds, that's why!!

Thank you anyway.

Oh, what does the plant itself smell like? You know, when the leaves and stems are dried. Is it a nice smell at all, or is it a bit bland and grassy?

You may get an improvement with the smell of the flowers if you plant it in a moist half-sun spot. That much I have been able to put together from the material about Sweet Woodruff.

Ilijasx.
sooze
23 years ago
Hi Ilijasx, The fresh leaves are grassy more than anything, but I haven't dried them, so they may become more like grassy/vanilla then. They are in a half-sun spot, but not very moist (especially at the moment).
Don't be put off by distance, if you really want some then posting a plant is no problem- I'm sure I could find a small plantlet or two. Email me if your interested.
ruralpeasant
23 years ago
Hi Ilijasx,i'm going to be placing an order with pheonix seeds in the next couple of weeks.I could add the sweet woodruff to my list and send it to you in exchange for some stamps, would save you the $5.50 handling charge.
cheers Kurt
ilijasx
Original Author
23 years ago
To sooze and ruralpeasant (Kurt):
Your generosity is really appreciated.

Kurt, I'd be more than happy to go with your proposition.(Sooze - please don't take that as an insult!! None meant whatsoever!)

Just tell me how we are to arrange this.

Thanking you kindly,

Ilijasx.
ruralpeasant
23 years ago
Hi Ilijasx,email me at ruralpeasant@hotmail.com and we can arrange it.
cheers Kurt
Anna_B
23 years ago
I have just dried some of the leaves of my sweet woodruff (it's only a small plant at present so I could only dry a couple of sprigs). The dried leaves have a more intense smell but I wouldn't say they smelled(?) of vanilla; though it's a pleasant smell I couldn't readily compare it to anything to accurately describe it.
garystk
21 years ago
Hi ilijaxz - I have Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) everywhere at my place, a great groundcover that seems to thrive in shade and doesn't need a mass of water. The dried leaves are wonderful, great and very unusual fragrance. I'd be happy to give you some runners if you want them - they were commonly available in virtually all nurseries about 2-3 years ago, but seem to have disappeared since then. Typical of nurseries, they are so faddish!
treya_email_com
20 years ago
I am also interested in finding some Sweet Woodruff seeds or cuttings, does anyone have any they are interested in trading/sharing?

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

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