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.
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.