Lady's bedstraw
Galium verum · Rubiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant lady's bedstraw: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, fine and linear
- Flowering
- June to September, golden yellow flowers
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20°C
- Origin
- Europe, temperate Asia and North Africa
- Soil type
- Well-drained, preferably chalky
Care
Watering
Yellow bedstraw tolerates drought well once established. Water regularly during the first year and in dry weather. In well-drained soil, watering can be limited after establishment.
Exposure
Place your yellow bedstraw in full sun for abundant flowering. A sunny location promotes intense yellow flower production and enhances fragrance.
Pruning and cutting
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. You can also cut it for fragrant dried bouquets.
Soil
Yellow bedstraw prefers chalky or neutral, well-drained soil. It adapts well to poor and rocky soils. Overly rich or waterlogged soil can reduce its characteristic fragrance.
Fertilizing
Apply little fertilizer: over-fed plants produce more foliage at the expense of flowers. A moderate application in spring is sufficient.
Diseases and pests
Yellow bedstraw is rarely affected by diseases. Avoid waterlogging that could promote rot. Generally very hardy with no major problems.
Did you know?
Yellow bedstraw was once used to dye fabrics bright yellow and to perfume cheese. In traditional herbal medicine, it enjoyed great repute, particularly in Central Europe. Its sweet fragrance and long flowering period made it a precious plant for herbal tea makers and cheese makers before the industrial era.
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.