Asperula azurea Cloud Nine | Blue Woodruff

Asperula azurea | Blue Woodruff Seeds | Fragrant Lavender-Blue Blooms

Delight your senses with the elegant charm of Blue Woodruff (Asperula azurea), also known as Oriental Woodruff. This delicate, fragrant annual produces clouds of soft lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer, filling the air with a light, sweet perfume.

With its fine, lance-shaped leaves and compact habit, Asperula azurea adds a romantic, cottage-garden touch to borders, containers, and shaded areas. The blooms are adored by butterflies and pollinators, and the plant makes an excellent companion for roses, shrubs, and perennials.

Thriving in moist, well-drained soil and tolerating partial shade, Blue Woodruff is perfect for adding fragrance and color to both sunny and lightly shaded spots. In cooler climates, it blooms continuously until frost and often self-seeds for natural regrowth the following season.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Asperula azurea (syn. Asperula orientalis)
• Common name: Blue Woodruff, Oriental Woodruff
• Type: Hardy annual
• Height: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Spread: 20 cm (8 in)
• Bloom time: Late spring to summer
• Flower color: Lavender-blue with a soft pink base
• Position: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained
• Water needs: Moderate to high — keep soil evenly moist
• Fragrance: Sweet and delicate
• Pollinator-friendly: Attracts bees and butterflies

How to Sow & Grow

Sowing time:

• Outdoors: Early spring (while frost is still possible).
• Indoors: Not recommended — prefers cool, natural conditions for germination.

Sowing depth: Surface sow — do not cover, light aids germination.
Germination time: 7–21 days at cool temperatures (~15°C).
Seed to bloom: Approx. 10 weeks.
Final spacing: 20 cm (8 in).

Tips:

• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Trim back midseason after the first flush of blooms to encourage reblooming.
• Mix compost into soil before planting for healthy growth.
• Self-seeds naturally — allow a few seedheads to mature if you want repeat blooms next year.

Why Grow Blue Woodruff?

✔ Fragrant lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators
✔ Perfect for borders, pots, or shady garden edges
✔ Easy-care and self-seeding — returns year after year
✔ Complements roses and perennials beautifully
✔ Adds a soft, romantic touch to garden compositions

Asperula azurea (Blue Woodruff) is a must-have for gardeners seeking a fragrant, elegant, and easy-to-grow annual. Its soft, cloud-like blue blooms and refreshing perfume make it an enchanting choice for borders, underplanting, or cut flower arrangements. Long-blooming, self-seeding, and pollinator-friendly — Blue Woodruff brings timeless charm to every garden.