Galium mollugo aka False Baby's Breath

Galium mollugo, or hedge bedstraw, belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is a perennial of temperate regions. Its native range stretches from Europe to Siberia and North Africa. It is native to Britain and Ireland. Other names include white bedstraw and false baby's breath. It grows on grassy slopes, beside hedges, and in scrub. It also grows in open woods, often on lime-rich ground.

This plant forms clumps, with stems that scramble through nearby growth. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] in height. Their spread falls within the same range. They take two to five years to reach full size. The stems feel smooth and have no hairs. Green leaves grow in whorls of six to eight. The plant loses its leaves for winter. Its spreading growth can help cover ground beneath shrubs.

Small white flowers appear from late spring through summer. Each flower has a star shape and a sweet scent. Clusters grow where the leaves meet the stems. These pale flowers suit wildflower meadows and gardens for wildlife. The plant also fits woodland edges and hedgerow plantings. Its loose, scrambling form suits these less formal settings. PFAF also lists it as ground cover for cool shade.

Grow hedge bedstraw in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist soil with plenty of humus. Good drainage matters, though it accepts a wide range of soils. These include clay, loam, sand, and chalk. It tolerates acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. RHS rates its hardiness H7; PFAF lists USDA zones 3–7. It needs no routine pruning and has few pest or disease problems. RHS warns that it can spread enough to become troublesome. PFAF does not flag it as a weed. This difference makes its spread worth watching in small gardens.

Sow ripe seed in containers in a shaded cold frame. Another method is to divide the rhizomes in autumn or early spring. PFAF records the leaves as edible, either raw or cooked. It gives the plant a low food-use rating. That source lists no known hazards, rather than proof of complete safety. It also records past medicinal uses, including wound care and epilepsy treatment. These records do not establish safe or effective treatment. The roots yield a red dye, though extracting it takes fiddly work.