Galium aparine
Cleavers, Goosegrass, Hedgeburs, Sweethearts, Sticky willies
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 1m
- Position
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A clinging weed that attaches itself to plants and animals since the foliage is sticky. It makes a straggling plant that will climb to around 1.5 metres in height. The seeds - we used to call them sweethearts - likewise cling. The plant has four angled stems with long thin leaves whorled intermittently about it. There are little white flowers in the leaf axils in spring. You may not notice them, but it obviously sets seed effectively since this plant gets everywhere. The plant can be eaten and is reputed to aid slimming. Medicinally it has a whole raft of uses, being used for glandular fever, cytisis, eczema among many other conditions.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 1m
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Sensory garden (tactile)
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.