Lily of the valley vs Sweet woodruff
Both are spreading groundcovers for shade with small white flowers in spring, and both will run where they are happy. Lily of the valley has the scent, and every part of it is poisonous, affecting the heart. Sweet woodruff makes a finer, ferny carpet of whorled leaves that smell of new-mown hay when dried.
 Lily of the valleyConvallaria majalis |  Sweet woodruffGalium odoratum | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8 in tall, 12 in wide | 8 in tall, 18 in wide |
| Plant | 8 in apart | 12 in apart |
| Zones | 3 to 7 | 4 to 8 |
| Light | Part shade to shade | Part shade to shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, average fertility | Evenly moist, average fertility |
| Flowers | Early May to late May; white | Early May to early June; white |
| Leaves | Medium, herbaceous | Fine, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Carpet | Carpet |
| Pets | Toxic (severe) | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | High risk | Moderate risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose lily of the valley for colder gardens (to zone 3) and dry summers.
- Choose sweet woodruff for warmer gardens (to zone 8) and a garden with pets.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they are recorded as partners. Beside lily of the valley, sweet woodruff is in flower together for four weeks, from early May; happy in the same moist soil. They share part shade and shade and zones 4 to 7.
Read more: all about lily of the valley, and all about sweet woodruff, each with a bed the planner designed around it.