Hedge bedstraw
Galium mollugo · Rubiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant hedge bedstraw: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to September
- Adult size
- 30 to 80 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15 °C)
- Origin
- Europe, Western Asia
- Soil type
- Well-draining, chalky or neutral
- Exposure
- Sun to partial shade
Care
Watering
White bedstraw tolerates drought well once established. Water regularly after planting to encourage rooting, then reduce watering. During very dry periods, occasional watering is sufficient. Avoid excess moisture which can promote fungal diseases.
Exposure
Plant this in sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. It adapts to shaded areas as well, but produces fewer flowers. An exposure with sun until mid-morning is ideal.
Soil and Drainage
White bedstraw prefers well-draining soils that are chalky to neutral in nature. It also tolerates poor and rocky soils. Improve very heavy soil with sand or gravel at planting time to ensure good drainage.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. In late winter, remove dead or damaged stems. This plant doesn't require severe pruning and regenerates well naturally.
Fertilizer
White bedstraw doesn't require significant nutrients. Light mulching in spring is usually sufficient. In very poor soil, an application of balanced fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season can support vigor.
Diseases and Pests
This plant is generally resistant to diseases and pests. Powdery mildew can occasionally appear in humid conditions: promote air circulation and avoid foliar watering. Root rot can occur with chronic waterlogging of the soil.
Did you know?
White bedstraw gets its French name from its former use: a substance was extracted from its roots to help in white cheese production, replacing rennet. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, this plant was so valued that it appeared in the medicinal gardens of monasteries and apothecaries throughout Europe.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.