Description

There are two species of medium height, clambering bedstraws that can be found growing in damp soils (three if you live in the New Forest), marsh and fen bedstraw. Marsh bedstraw is the taller of the two and can be identified by the lack of a bristle like tip to the leaves. The flowers, which are present from June to August, are white and formed into loose clusters at the end of the stem.

Habitat Information

Marsh bedstraw is a native perennial of wet meadows, marshes, fens and pond edges. It is usually found in wetter, more acidic sites than Fen bedstraw but is sometimes found growing with it. It exploits areas where more robust and dominant species are kept in check by partial shade, occasional disturbance or a combination of both. Marsh bedstraw can be added to EP1 or EM8.

Growing Information

Best sown in the autumn.