Northern Bedstraw
Galium boreale
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Genus:
- Galium
- Species:
- Galium boreale
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 2-3 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- White
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers calcareous soils in native range
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seed is collected in September when the inflorescence is dry and the seeds are brown in color. Seed can be stripped from the stalks by hand or entire stalks can be cut. Plants hold their seed well, shattering is not generally a problem. Harvested seed is stored in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned. There is some conflicting information about whether cold, moist stratification improves germination rates.
Source: npn.rngr.net