Sweet Woodruff

About Sweet Woodruff

The essential ingredient in German May Wine (Maibowle), a traditional spring drink. It contains coumarin, which gives it a sweet hay-like vanilla fragrance that intensifies when dried. It is a shade-loving ground cover that spreads by runners. It has small white star-shaped flowers. It has been used since the Middle Ages for flavoring drinks and desserts. It is in the coffee family. Large amounts can cause headaches due to coumarin content. It is excellent for dry shade. It is used in potpourri. The dried leaves retain their fragrance for years. It is native to European woodlands.