Close up of the groundcover Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) a fragrant herb blooming in spring.

This European wildflower is a traditional herbal remedy used to flavor wine, but its medicinal properties may be dangerous if ingested. Stems can be dried and made into potpourri to scent a room or closet. Sweet Woodruff also is used by dyers for tan or gray-green dyes and, with alum, to make red dyes. It is also called fragrant bedstraw or Our Lady's bedstraw and was sacred to the Virgin Mary during medieval times. Galium odoratum grows in shade, prefering moist soil, but tolerates dryness. It can spread rapidly.