Blue Woodruff (Asperula Orientalis Blue Surprise) - Blue Woodruff seeds are a planting favorite of many herb gardeners. Asperula Orientalis, also called Oriental Woodruff, blooms in late spring to early summer with fluffy, lavender-blue flowers. Its lance-shaped leaves are wonderfully scented, creating a lovely perfume that wafts through the garden. The Oriental Woodruff herb is a terrific companion plant for roses, shrubs and large perennials. It tolerates quite a bit of shade, does well in moist locations, and the flowers attract butterflies. A synonymous botanical name is Asperula azurea.

Start Blue Woodruff seeds indoors in the late winter for transplanting out in the spring. Or, many gardeners recommend sowing the herbs seeds directly outdoors in prepared seedbeds several weeks before the end of frost season. The Blue Woodruff herb seeds germinate better in cooler temperatures. The Blue Woodruff herb does not perform well in extremely hot weather, so it may not survive the hottest weeks of summer. In cooler regions, the Blue Woodruff plant continues to look and smell fresh right up until frost.

SOWING:

Sow: indoor: February - March, garden: March - April or August - September

Season: Annual

Height: 6 - 12 inches (15 - 30 cm)

Bloom Season: May - July

Bloom Color: Blue

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Soil Type: Rich, moist soils

Deer Resistant: Yes

Germ. temperature: 4C, after 14 days, move to 10C

                                   (39F, after 14 days, move to 50F)

Average Germ Time: 30 - 40 days

Light Required: Yes

Depth: 1/4 inch (0.5 cm)

Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination

Plant Spacing: 9 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cm)