Galium verum
lady's bedstraw
A low, scrambling, carpeting perennial with stems to 1.2m long, often rooting where they touch the ground, and bearing whorled linear green leaves, and terminal panicles of tiny 4-lobed yellow flowers in mid and late summer, scented of hay when dried
Other common names
bed flowercheese rennet
see morefenwort
hundredfold
maiden's hair
maid's hair
Our Lady's bedstraw
petty mugget
rennet weed
yellow bedstraw
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Galium can be annuals or perennials, with weak, sometimes scrambling stems bearing whorls of narrow leaves and usually terminal panicles of small, white or yellow flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade; it spreads freely with the potential to become a nuisance in gardens, but ideal for meadow planting, where the flowers provide nectar for pollinating insects such as bumblebees and butterflies and food for caterpillars of several moths
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sowing when ripe, or propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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