Species Blue Woodruff
light-purple flowers with white stamens, green-brown leaves and stems

Blue Woodruff

Asperula arvensis

Blue Woodruff (Asperula arvensis) is a perennial flower native to woodlands and meadows in Europe and parts of North America. It has delicate, star-like flowers that range from white to a light blue. The flowers are carried on held stems, giving it a soft, cascading appearance. Its fragrant, fern-like leaves are evergreen, providing year-round cover and greenery. The plant is useful for erosion control, as its dense root system holds the soil in place; it is also ideal for wildflower areas. Blue Woodruff requires minimal maintenance and can even thrive in dry, undernourished soil.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Blue Woodruff (Asperula arvensis) should be watered when the top 2-3 inches of soil have dried out slightly. Because of the plant's shallow root system, it is best not to let the soil dry out completely. In general, water your Blue Woodruff once every 1-2 weeks and make sure the soil has ample drainage. If overwatering occurs, roots may rot and the plant can die. To ensure the soil is draining well, mix it with 1 part sand and 2 parts potting mix. In the growing season, Blue Woodruff should be watered more frequently than other seasons. During summer months, it's best to water the plant twice a week. During winter, the plant should only be watered once a week or at most bi-weekly. It's important not to overwater, as too much moisture in the soil can cause root rot.

sunlight

Blue Woodruff (Asperula arvensis) does best in partial or filtered sunlight. For optimal growth, it should receive no more than 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Additionally, the plant should be shaded from the hot afternoon sun. It is best when placed near a north or east-facing window or outdoors in dappled shade from trees such as maples or oaks. Blue Woodruff can also tolerate slightly shadier conditions, but too much shade may lead to a weak and spindly plant.

pruning

Blue Woodruff (Asperula arvensis) should be pruned during late spring or early summer when the plants begin to grow again. Pruning should be light and should focus on removing older, overgrown stems and any dead or diseased branches. Pruning should only remove up to a third of the plant’s branches each time, as doing more could put too much stress on the plant and may cause permanent damage. Additionally, it may be necessary to occasionally prune stems that have grown longer than the height of the plant to keep it looking neat.