Galium album Mill.
Hedge Bedstraw
Hedge bedstraw is a scrambling native perennial in the bedstraw family, widespread through much of Britain though less frequent in north-west Scotland and Ireland. It has slender, square, rather brittle stems clothed in whorls of narrow, single-veined leaves, and in summer produces frothy, branching clusters of tiny white, four-petalled flowers that froth over hedge bases and tall grass like sea foam.
About
Hedge bedstraw is a scrambling native perennial in the bedstraw family, widespread through much of Britain though less frequent in north-west Scotland and Ireland. It has slender, square, rather brittle stems clothed in whorls of narrow, single-veined leaves, and in summer produces frothy, branching clusters of tiny white, four-petalled flowers that froth over hedge bases and tall grass like sea foam.
It prefers well-drained, calcareous or base-rich soils in full sun or light shade, and is typical of rough grassland, hedgebanks, road and railway verges, scrub and woodland edges. Flowering from June to September, the massed blooms draw a range of small pollinating insects, and bedstraws are valued larval food plants for several hawk-moths and other moths. Its loose, airy growth makes it a useful filler in meadow and hedgerow mixes, threading lightly between sturdier species rather than crowding them out.
Also known as
White Bedstraw
Synonyms
Galium album album · Galium album erectum · Galium asperuliforme · Galium mollugo album · Galium mollugo erectum · Galium umbellatum
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.