Galium odoratum Open-pollinated. Perennial to Zone 5. A lovely ground cover for shaded areas, its whorls of pointed leaves covered with clusters of tiny snowy-white spring flowers. Vanilla-scented leaves are essential in Maybowl, a traditional German punch, and also used in potpourris. In these times of high vanilla prices, try steeping leaves in brandy for an acceptable vanilla-extract substitute.
Said to be helpful for migraine, nervous conditions and stomach pain. Drying increases its clover fragrance. A classic strewing herb in the Middle Ages used to purify the church, dining hall and bedrooms with its coumarin-rich fragrance. Sow outdoors in a woodland site or in a heavy layer of well-rotted leaf mulch. Can be very slow to germinate—up to 200 days—and then may not be visible right away because the plants grow by underground rhizomes. Be patient—woodruff will appear the following spring and grow 6–8" tall and spread. ~160 seeds/g. ③
About medicinal herbs: Archeological evidence dates the medicinal use of herbs back 60,000 years to the Neanderthals. 85% of the world’s population employ herbs as medicines, and 40% of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. contain plant-derived materials. Fewer than 10% of higher plant species have been investigated for their medicinal components. Interest in traditional herbal remedies continues to grow.
Statements about medicinal use of plants have not been evaluated by the FDA, and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any ailment. Before using or ingesting any medicinal plant, consult a healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine.
Takinagawa Burdock and Resina Calendula, as well as oats, mammoth red clover and alfalfa in the Farm Seed section, also have medicinal uses. Medicinal herbs such as black cohosh, licorice, and many more are available as plants, and shipped in the spring with orders from our Trees division.
Culture: Some herbs are customarily grown from divisions because they cannot come true from seed, such as scented thymes and flavored mints. Some require fall sowing of fresh seed, such as sweet cicely and angelica.
Using herbs: Drying herbs at home is not difficult. Whole leaves retain their flavor at least a year. To substitute fresh herbs for dried in cooking, use triple the dried quantity called for in a recipe.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.
