Wirtgen’s Bedstraw: A Lesser-Known Garden Variety
If you’ve stumbled across the name Wirtgen’s bedstraw (Galium verum var. wirtgenii) in your plant research, you’re looking at one of those botanical mysteries that keeps gardeners scratching their heads. This perennial forb is part of the bedstraw family, but finding detailed growing information about this specific variety? Well, that’s where things get interesting.
What Exactly Is Wirtgen’s Bedstraw?
Wirtgen’s bedstraw is a variety of the more common Lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum), classified as a perennial forb. In plant speak, that means it’s a non-woody plant that comes back year after year, with soft stems rather than the tough, woody growth you’d see on shrubs or trees. This particular variety goes by several scientific synonyms, including Galium verum L. ssp. wirtgenii and Galium wirtgenii, which might explain why information about it seems scattered to the winds.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
This non-native plant has established itself across several states and into Canada, reproducing on its own in the wild. You can find it growing in Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Quebec. It’s one of those plants that arrived from elsewhere but has managed to make itself at home in North American landscapes.
- Species observed
- No observations
The Challenge of Growing Lesser-Known Varieties
Here’s where things get tricky for gardeners interested in Wirtgen’s bedstraw. Unlike its more famous cousins in the bedstraw family, this particular variety flies under the radar in most gardening resources. We know it’s a perennial that can survive in various climates across the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, but specific growing requirements, preferred soil conditions, and care instructions remain largely undocumented in popular gardening literature.
Should You Plant It?
The honest answer? It’s complicated. While Wirtgen’s bedstraw isn’t listed as invasive or noxious (though this status is unclear), it is a non-native species. For most gardeners, especially those interested in supporting local ecosystems, there are plenty of native alternatives that offer similar benefits with much better documentation.
Consider Native Alternatives Instead
If you’re drawn to the bedstraw family, consider looking into native species that provide similar garden benefits:
- Wild licorice (Galium circaezans) – a native bedstraw with sweet-scented flowers
- Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) – offers delicate white flowers and attracts beneficial insects
- Cleavers (Galium aparine) – an annual native that’s both edible and ecologically valuable
The Bottom Line
While Wirtgen’s bedstraw might sound intriguing, the lack of specific growing information and its non-native status make it a challenging choice for most gardeners. Unless you’re a plant collector with a particular interest in bedstraw varieties, you’ll likely have better success and make a more positive environmental impact by choosing well-documented native plants that support local wildlife and ecosystems.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that remain mysterious, and Wirtgen’s bedstraw certainly fits that description. But in the garden, mystery doesn’t always translate to success!