Sweetscented Bedstraw (Galium odoratum)

How much light does a Sweetscented Bedstraw need?

Part shade suits sweetscented bedstraw best, and it also accepts full shade. Part shade here means direct sunlight for only part of the day, about 2 to 6 hours. The plant does well in partial to full shade. Heavy shade is also listed among the conditions it tolerates. Light shade or deep shade are both covered by its recorded range.

• Light: Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred)^1,2,3,3

How often to water a Sweetscented Bedstraw

Moist soil is what sweetscented bedstraw prefers. It will also survive in dry shade. The recorded moisture range runs from dry-to-medium soil up to medium-to-wet soil. Wet soil is among the conditions it tolerates. Clay soil is tolerated as well. The soil is described as both well drained and moist.

• Water: Dry to wet²

Best soil for a Sweetscented Bedstraw

It thrives in moist, well-drained loam or amended soils. Drainage is recorded as good, alongside the moist conditions the plant likes. It also tolerates clay soil and wet soil. Moist soil is preferred, though dry shade is survivable. The plant is not susceptible to juglone, so it will grow under walnut trees. Black walnut is listed among the things it tolerates. No soil pH range is documented for this plant.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^1,3

Hardiness and temperature

Zones 4a through 8b make up the listed hardiness range. The plant is hardy throughout USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. Zone 4a marks the cold end of that range. Zone 8b marks the warm end. A garden in zone 5, 6 or 7 sits inside the range. The range spans five whole zone numbers, from 4 through 8. No minimum temperature or humidity figure is documented for this plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b^1,3

Pruning a Sweetscented Bedstraw

Light shaping is the pruning type recorded for this plant. If you need to, you can mow it with a rotary mower set high to maintain growth. It reaches 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) tall. Its width is 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.61 m). It spreads readily in ideal conditions. Its growth rate is moderate.

• Pruning: Light shaping¹

How to plant a Sweetscented Bedstraw

Plant sweetscented bedstraw where your garden falls within USDA zones 4a to 8b. Pick a spot with part shade or full shade. The soil should be moist and well drained. Allow 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.61 m) for each plant's spread. Expect a height of 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm). It will grow under walnut trees because it is not susceptible to juglone. Its habit is climbing and spreading. Its small white flowers have four petals. It is listed as introduced in the lower 48 US states.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b^1,3

Winter care

Sweetscented bedstraw is hardy outdoors from zone 4a to zone 8b. Zone 4a is the coldest zone in that range. It is a herbaceous perennial. Wet soil and clay soil are both on its list of tolerances. Good drainage is also recorded for its soil. Heavy shade is tolerated too. No minimum temperature or winter protection method is documented.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–8b^1,3

How to propagate a Sweetscented Bedstraw

Sweetscented bedstraw can be propagated by division, seed or stem cuttings. Division is the method described as the most easily done. Spring is the time named for dividing it. Seed and stem cuttings are the other two methods listed. A mature plant is 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.61 m) wide. It spreads readily in ideal conditions.

• Propagation: Division, seed and stem cuttings²

Common problems

Pests and diseases are both recorded as having no significant problems for this plant. No specific pest is named. No specific disease is named. Deer do not favor it, and it is reported as resistant. The plant is not susceptible to juglone. It tolerates heavy shade, clay soil and wet soil.

• Common pests: ¹
• Common diseases: ¹

Questions and answers

Does sweetscented bedstraw grow in shade?

It prefers part shade and also accepts full shade. It tolerates heavy shade as well. The plant will survive in dry shade, though it prefers moist soil.

What color are the flowers of sweetscented bedstraw?

The flowers are white. They are small and have four petals. They appear in spring.

Do deer eat sweetscented bedstraw?

Deer do not favor it, and it is reported as resistant. It is also listed as having no significant pest problems. It is a herbaceous perennial that spreads readily in ideal conditions.