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< back Common name: northern lights Scientific name: Galium boreale Duration: Perennial Family: Rubiaceae Habitat: Easily grown on a variety of soils in partial shade, often found on cool, moist, rocky hillsides, prairies swales, and lightly wooded spots Blooming period: Early summer Color: Fragrant white flower clusters, dark green foliage with leaves in whorls of four Height: 1-2' Planting Time: While this plant does well in full sun, it prefers the moist soils of shady spots which allow for expansion by the creeping roots and it will also self-seed under these wetter conditions. The white lacy flowers are a nice compliment to the yellows, pinks, purples, and reds of other wildflowers. Historically, the seeds were ground and used as a coffee substitute and a red dye has been made from the roots of some Galium species. Seeding Requirements: Seeds will germinate when planted in the early spring OR late fall. No stratification is required. Planting Instructions: Sow seeds directly in the ground or in pots at 1/8" in late fall or early spring. Maintain a moist seed bed; gradually reducing watering following the first year of establishment. Seeds per pound: 726,000 Seeding Rate: 1 oz/150 sq.ft. Galium, from the Greek word gala which means “milk”, some Galium species were used to curdle milk boreale, means “northern” in Latin
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1461 Thorn Creek Road, Genesee, Idaho 83832 208.596.9122