I find it highly invasive, but it is unable to affect the other plants like Epimedium, Asarum europaeum, Hosta,Lamiums, solomon seal, ferns and others simply because it is shorter. I think it would do well in shade but I have seen it fade out in really dry soil.

I have woodruff all over my garden. As far as I can tell, it has fairly superficial roots, and doesn't hinder other plants. One year I decided it was a menace and started ripping it out, but later found it replaced by much worse plants. Same with the violets which seed themselves everywhere. They're pretty, and I've come to really appreciate them.

I have sweet woodruff in many different places in my gardens. This spring,it went wild. I pulled a lot of it out and left 2' diam patches. It is very easy to pull out and a great groundocover, just keep a check on it. Im actually letting some creep to my neighbors garden to battle her goutweed
Erin

Thanks for all the great info. It sounds like the sweet woodruff won't drown (and kill off) my other perennials. I'm definitely a member of the "I don't want to see bare dirt in my flower bed" club. However, I also don't want a monoculture.

Anyone have a spare chunk they'd like to share?? =)

-Stephanie