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Galium album (syn. Galium mollugo) ‘HEDGE BEDSTRAW’

[Ex. Northumberland]

Rubiaceae: scrambling perennial with smooth. Square stems to 1.5m, attractive small white flowers, create frothy like clusters, blooming from June-September. Found in hedgerows and dry, grassy places, typically found on rich soils, pretty widespread and fairly common, except in the north of the country, also it is said to be completely absent from Ireland.

The plant is lithontripic and vulnerary, used in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria. A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry.

Seeds can also be sown late summer or spring, it may be very slow to germinate. This plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself.

Seeds originally collected from Northumberland, seeds harvested from plants grown at the Kykeon Plants Nursery, summer 2014.


Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50

Galium mollugo

Galium verum ‘LADY'S BEDSTRAW’
[Ex. Derbyshire]

Rubiaceae: a very pretty perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in),  said to be hardy down to zone 3, thousands of bright yellows flowers are produced from July to August, often seen growing wild on road verges, native to most of Europe, including Britain, to Western Asia.

The leaves are edible and can be eaten either raw or cooked, the seeds can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute, the flowering tops are distilled in water to make a refreshing acid beverage. Other uses include, the plant being used as a rennet to coagulate plant milks, and the yellow dye from the flowering stems being used as a food colouring.

Lady's bedstraw has a long history of use as an herbal medicine, though it is little used in modern medicine. Its main application is as a diuretic and as a treatment for skin complaints, a powder made from the fresh plant is used to soothe reddened skin and reduce inflammation, whilst the plant is also used as a poultice on cuts, skin infections, and slow-healing wounds. Harvest the plant as it comes into flower, it can be dried for later use.

In the past, the dried plants were used to stuff mattresses, as the coumarin scent of the plants acts as a flea killer. The flowers were also used to coagulate milk in cheese manufacture and, in Gloucestershire, to colour the cheese Double Gloucester. The plant is also used to make red madder-like and yellow dyes. In Denmark, the plant (known locally as gul snerre) is traditionally used to infuse spirits, making the uniquely Danish drink bjæsk.

Mythology: Frigg was the goddess of married women, in Norse mythology. She helped women give birth to children, and as Scandinavians used the plant Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) as a sedative, they called it Frigg's grass. In Romanian folklore, it is called sânziana and it is linked to the Sânziene fairies and their festival on June 24th.

The seed is best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer, it can be sown in situ throughout, but it may be slower to germinate. The plant can be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established, easy.

Seeds Available - £1.50

Galium verum

Geranium robertianum ’HERB ROBERT’
[Ex. Co. Durham]


Currently Unavailable

Geranium robertianum

Geranium pratense ‘MEADOW CRANESBILL’
[Ex. Gloucestershire]


Currently Unavailable

Geranium pratense

Geum rivale 'Water Avens'
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Rosaceae: Downy perennial of damp meadows, marshes and mountain ledges, mostly on rich soils, nodding bell-shaped flowers, comprising dark red sepals and pink petals, blooming from May-September, same bur-like fruits as for G. urbanum, but feathery, locally common across the British Isles.

The plants roots can be used either fresh or dried, the root can be boiled in water to make a delicious chocolate-like drink, and it can also be used as a seasoning. Best harvested in the spring or autumn but can be used all year round, it was once used to flavour ales. The root has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge, stomachic, styptic and tonic properties. It can be applied externally as a wash to various skin afflictions - it is said to remove spots, freckles and eruptions from the face.

Best sown in the autumn or spring, very easy from seed. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, especially with G. urbanum.


Seeds Available 100+ seeds -£1.50

Geum rivale

Geum urbanum 'Wood Avens'
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Rosaceae: Hairy perennial to 50cm in height, found growing in hedgerows and woodland, the flowers are 8-15mm across, with 5 yellow petals: upright in bud but dropping when fully open, blooming from May-August, their bur like fruits have red hooked spines, widespread across the British Isles.
The plants roots can be used either fresh or dried, the root can be boiled in water to make a delicious chocolate-like drink, and it can also be used as a seasoning. Best harvested in the spring or autumn but can be used all year round, it was once used to flavour ales. The root has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge, stomachic, styptic and tonic properties. It can be applied externally as a wash to various skin afflictions - it is said to remove spots, freckles and eruptions from the face.

Best sown in the autumn or spring, very easy from seed.


Seeds Available 500+ seeds - £1.25

Geum urbanum

Glaucium flavum ‘YELLOW HORNED-POPPY’
[Ex. Norfolk]

Papaveraceae: short-lived coastal perennial, growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in), silvery grey leaves and large, bright yellow flower that develops into long, sickle shaped seed pods which look a little like horns. Flowering  from June to late September. at home on shingle banks and stony beaches but can also be found on soft cliffs and the bare tops of chalk cliffs, relatively common around the southern half Britain but is absent or rare in northeast England and most of Scotland. 

Uses include a clear yellow edible oil which is obtained from the seed, medicinally the plant has been used for relieving of coughs and lowering of blood pressure, Glaucium flavum contains glaucine, an alkaloid similar in effect to codeine, in that it has cough suppressant activity but without being addictive.

Seed can be sown just under the surface in spring, summer or autumn, but can be sown anytime of the year, directly  sown into garden or in pots. Can be sown anytime of the year. [cold stratification will improve germination]

Seeds Available - £1.25

Glaucium flavum

Glechoma hederacea ’GROUND IVY’

Currently Unavailable

Glechoma hederacea