Woodruff

Woodruff (or Sweet Woodruff as it’s known) is a gardeners dream. It will thrive where other plants struggle and makes for excellent ground cover. A vigorous spreader, it loves partial, dappled shade and is suited to planting under deciduous trees and hedging. The sweetly scented leaves intensify when dried and have a grassy, hay and vanilla-like flavour which is traditionally used as a main flavouring in May Punch or the traditional German May Wine - ‘Maibowle’. Valued for its fragrance and medicinal properties back in the day, it’s wonderfully easy to grow in the UK – provided you resist the temptation to put it somewhere blazing hot and sunny. Give it shade, moisture and room to spread, and it will be very happy indeed.