An easy to grow perennial found growing wild, bedstraw with its fluffy yellow flowers, was used for stuffing mattresses and for cheese making due to its ability to curdle milk. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Aromatic
- Good for a wildlife garden
- Dye herb
- Rich source of nectar for bees
A European native it can be commonly found in the UK growing meadows and heaths and gives a honey waft to the air. It is also called by the name country name ‘cheese rennet ‘because of its use in cheese making.
Plant Care
- Height: 30-60cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Yellow
- Flowering period: July - September
An easy to grow perennial, lady’s bedstraw will grow on most soil types and is happy with some sun and shade during the day. It spreads into a nice clump in the ground – in a pot it need to be split every couple of years to stop it becoming too root bound.
Usage
Lady’s bedstraw has a pleasant smell once dried and was once used for stuffing mattresses where it helped discourage fleas.
The leaves and stems produce a yellow dye for cloth and food colouring and it they have also been used instead of rennet in cheese making, giving the cheese a deep yellow colour.
The leaves make a bitter infusion which is traditionally used as a diuretic and remedy for urinary disorders. The fresh leaves can be applied to sooth reddened skin and reduce inflammation on cuts, skin infections and slow haling wounds.