Galium verum, commonly known as Lady’s Bedstraw, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, meadows, open woodlands, and coastal areas across Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. It has also naturalized in parts of Tasmania, New Zealand, Canada, and the northern United States. This species typically grows 24-47 inches long and features dark green leaves arranged in whorls of 8-12 along square stems. From June to September, it produces clusters of tiny, fragrant yellow flowers that are particularly showy and attract pollinators.

Lady’s Bedstraw is valued for its traditional uses and its role in natural dyeing and cheese making, where the flowers are used to coagulate milk. The plant’s dried foliage, known for its pleasant smell and flea-repellent properties, was historically used to stuff mattresses. In cultivation, it serves as an attractive ground cover or border plant in wildflower meadows and informal garden settings. It thrives in well-drained soils, tolerates a range of soil types, and prefers full sun to part shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread vigorously and may need to be managed to prevent unwanted colonization.CC BY-SA 4.0