Woodruff as an ancient medicinal and aromatic plant can be identified and collected in many regions during spring walks through the forest. But you can also plant it in a pot or under a tree garden.
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Where can you get plants of the woodruff?
If you know of places with dense woodruff growth in the woods around you, with the landowner’s permission you can carefully dig up some plants and transplant them to a shady spot in the garden on a day that is not too hot. Many specialty garden plant stores carry woodruff in the culinary herb section. However, it can also be grown from seed relatively easily.
What is the perfect location for the woodruff?
Woodruff rightly bears its name, because it is a typical forest plant. It therefore grows exclusively in mostly shady locations and does not tolerate strong sunlight. This also means that the woodruff is dependent on a constant water supply and does not tolerate the soil drying out too much. In the garden, you can grow woodruff well under shrubs and trees or in a pot positioned in the shade.
When should woodruff be sown or grown in advance?
Woodruff is a frost germinator, so the seeds should be sown between September and December. Preplanting in a pot usually makes little sense, as the sensitive roots of woodruff can easily be injured when transplanting.
How can woodruff be propagated?
If you want to plant woodruff properly, you should allow it enough space in the garden bed or in a pot. Woodruff will then self-propagate by self-seeding after the first flowering and by root runners.
When should woodruff be harvested?
The best time to harvest woodruff is in April and May, when the coumarin content is still lower before the upcoming flowering period. Then try your hand at processing it into delicious dishes such as:
- May punch
- Woodruff ice cream
- Woodruff syrup
What kind of soil is suitable for woodruff?
As a woodruff plant, woodruff needs a loose and humusy soil that can retain moisture well.
Tips & Tricks
Fertilization is generally not necessary for woodruff. As a nutrient supply at its location, it is sufficient to cover the woodruff in autumn with a layer of leaves, which then decomposes until spring.