Fragrant Bedstraw
Galium triflorum
Also listed as Galium brachiatum, Galium pennsylvanicum
Also known as Sweet Bedstraw, Sweet-scented Bedstraw, Three-flowered Bedstraw
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing woodland perennial with delicate three-petaled white flowers and fragrant, sweet-scented foliage. Excellent as a groundcover or underplanting in shade gardens.
Why grow it
Fragrant bedstraw fills a similar niche to other low woodland groundcovers like sweet woodruff, but with a more delicate appearance and adaptability to drier shade conditions. Its creeping habit makes it useful for stabilizing soil on slopes or as an understory layer beneath deciduous trees, while the foliage releases fragrance when brushed or dried. Unlike many shade groundcovers, it tolerates considerable root competition from established trees.
Watch out for
This plant spreads via both runners and seed, so in small garden spaces it may outcompete nearby low-growing neighbors if not monitored. It performs best with consistent moisture during establishment but can be slow to fill in during the first season, making patience and initial weed management important for success.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rubiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American native
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing woodland perennial with delicate three-petaled white flowers and fragrant, sweet-scented foliage. Excellent as a groundcover or underplanting in shade gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Fragrant Bedstraw grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Fragrant bedstraw fills a similar niche to other low woodland groundcovers like sweet woodruff, but with a more delicate appearance and adaptability to drier shade conditions. Its creeping habit makes it useful for stabilizing soil on slopes or as an understory layer beneath deciduous trees, while the foliage releases fragrance when brushed or dried. Unlike many shade groundcovers, it tolerates considerable root competition from established trees.
Watch out for
This plant spreads via both runners and seed, so in small garden spaces it may outcompete nearby low-growing neighbors if not monitored. It performs best with consistent moisture during establishment but can be slow to fill in during the first season, making patience and initial weed management important for success.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rubiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American native
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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