Herbaceous. 6 in. Shade.
Whorls of short, slightly hairy, dark green leaves on low growing shade loving groundcover with star shaped white flowers in spring. It gives the garden a feeling of being in the woods. Leaves smell like hay or vanilla when dried; they make a nice woodsy addition to potpourri. The flowers were traditionally used for May wine. If grown in very rich soil with plenty of moisture the plant can become invasive. We grow it in dry shade and find that the growth stays much more in check. If you plant it somewhere where you have plenty of summer moisture, you may find it really travels. Planting in shady pots is always possible, and it looks lovely spilling out of containers.
Plant with Heuchera or Salvia sinaloensis.