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Rubia peregrina

wild madder

Rubiaceae

Western and southern Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Rubia peregrina is an evergreen scrambling perennial with wiry, four-angled stems 24-60 inches (60-150 cm) long that clamber over shrubs and hedges using tiny hooked prickles. The leathery, glossy dark-green leaves are held in whorls of four to six, their margins and underside midribs lined with backward-hooked bristles that catch on clothing and other plants. Small yellow-green flowers about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across, each with five pointed lobes, open in loose clusters from June to August. They ripen into round black berries about 0.2-0.25 inch (5-6 mm) wide. It grows in coastal scrub, hedgerows, cliff tops, and woodland edges, mostly near the sea on well-drained, often lime-rich soils. The hooked stems and leaves can scramble densely over and through neighbouring plants.

Native Range

Native to western and southern Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, with a strongly Atlantic and coastal distribution. In Britain it grows near the south and west coasts on well-drained, often calcareous ground.

Suggested Uses

Grown in coastal and wildlife gardens, on banks, and scrambling through hedges and shrubs near the sea. The black berries and evergreen cover give food and shelter to birds and insects. Its roots have a long history as a source of red dye, like those of the related madder, Rubia tinctorum.

How to Identify

Wiry, four-angled scrambling stems carry whorls of four to six leathery, glossy dark-green leaves edged with backward-hooked bristles that cling to the touch. The small yellow-green flowers have five pointed lobes, and the fruit is a round black berry 0.2-0.25 inch (5-6 mm) wide. Its evergreen, glossy leaves and black berries separate it from cleavers, Galium aparine, an annual with dull leaves and tiny bur-like fruits.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Small yellow-green flowers open from June to August in loose, branched clusters. They are visited by small flies and other insects, and ripen into round black berries that persist into autumn and winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk rocky sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Rubia peregrina grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained, often lime-rich soils at a soil pH of about 6.5-8.0. It favours mild, coastal conditions and tolerates salt-laden wind, drought, and thin, stony ground once established. The scrambling stems need shrubs, a fence, or other support to climb, or they sprawl over the ground. Hardy to about USDA zone 7, it holds its leaves through mild winters but can be cut back by hard frost inland. It needs no feeding on lean coastal soils and can be cut back to keep its scrambling growth in bounds. It spreads by seed and creeping roots.

Pruning

Straggling or overgrown stems can be cut back in late winter or early spring to control the scramble. The evergreen growth is otherwise left in place, and stray rooting stems can be removed to limit spread.