Lady's Bedstraw Seeds (Galium verum)

Lady's Bedstraw brings a soft golden charm to meadows, borders, and wildflower lawns. Once used to stuff mattresses and curdle milk for cheese-making, this beautifully scented wildflower now supports pollinators and thrives in poor soils where others might struggle.

Key Features:

• Traditional British wildflower with a long history of herbal and household use
• Pollinator-friendly, rich in nectar source for bees, butterflies and other insects
• Hardy and drought-tolerant thriving in low-fertile and well-drained soils
• Spreading habit makes it ideal for wildflower meadows, green roofs, and banks
• Perennial species for long-lasting, low maintenance colour
• Approx. 2000 seeds per 1g

Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum) is a fine-stemmed perennial wildflower that produces a carpet of small, vivid yellow flowers from midsummer into early autumn.

Historically used in bedding (due to its pleasant scent and reputed flea-repelling properties) and for curdling milk in cheesemaking, it has long been valued for both its beauty and utility.

Reaching around 30–60 cm in height, Lady’s Bedstraw forms spreading mats and intertwines well with grasses and other meadow plants. It grows best in full sun and well-drained, low-nutrient soil, particularly chalk or sandy types. Its ability to thrive in tough spots makes it perfect for wildlife meadows, green roofs, roadside verges, or anywhere you're aiming for a naturalistic effect with minimal intervention.

Its long-lasting yellow blooms are highly attractive to pollinators, particularly bees and hoverflies, and contribute to increased biodiversity in garden and wild settings alike.

Sow Lady’s Bedstraw in autumn or spring directly onto bare soil that is low in nutrients and free of weeds. Rake seeds in lightly but avoid burying them too deeply, they require light to germinate. Water gently during dry spells in the early stages.

Germination can take 2 to 4 weeks depending on conditions. Once established, the plants are drought-tolerant and require little to no maintenance. Avoid applying fertiliser, as rich soil can suppress flowering.

Lady’s Bedstraw is a perennial and may not flower in its first year, but it will return reliably year after year with little care required. It can be mown or lightly strimmed in late autumn after flowering has finished to encourage healthy regrowth.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

This species is well-suited for wildflower meadows, chalk grasslands, banks, verges, green roofs, and wildlife gardens. Its cheerful yellow flowers are a magnet for bees, hoverflies, and moths, and its spreading growth habit makes it excellent for covering open ground in naturalistic planting schemes.
Planting Lady’s Bedstraw is a simple way to boost native biodiversity, especially when mixed with other meadow species such as oxeye daisy, knapweed, and yarrow.

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Q1: Does Lady’s Bedstraw grow in poor soil?
A: Yes! It actually prefers low-fertility, well-drained soil, including chalk and sand. Fertile or heavy clay soils may suppress flowering.

Q2: Is Lady’s Bedstraw good for pollinators?
A: Absolutely. The bright yellow flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects throughout summer.

Q3: Will it flower in the first year?
A: Not usually. As a perennial, it often focuses on root and foliage development in the first year, with flowers appearing from the second year onward.