Blue Woodruff

Asperula orientalis is a delightful annual ground cover that is frequently used for filling gaps in borders or underplanting taller subjects. It forms a soft haze of slender, whorled green leaves and produces dainty clusters of fragrant, tubular, lavender-blue flowers in early to mid-summer. The scent is particularly noted for its sweetness, reminiscent of honey. While it is an annual, it often self-seeds gently in the UK garden, providing new plants year after year without becoming a nuisance. It is an excellent choice for a cottage garden or a naturalistic meadow scheme. It prefers a sunny to partially shaded position and a moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Because of its airy habit, it can be planted amongst spring bulbs to provide cover as their foliage dies back. It is attractive to bees and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to a wildlife-friendly garden. This woodruff is very easy to grow from seed sown directly in situ.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained loam.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.