Valerian

Valerian is a tall, elegant herbaceous perennial that is native to the UK and has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It produces a basal rosette of finely divided, deep green leaves from which arise tall, slender stems reaching up to 1.5m. In mid to late summer, these stems are topped with dense, rounded cymes of tiny, highly fragrant, pale pink or white flowers. The scent is sweet and vanilla-like to some, but the roots have a very different, pungent, and earthy odour. It is a fantastic plant for attracting beneficial insects, including hoverflies and moths. Valerian is fully hardy (H7) and thrives in a variety of conditions, though it prefers moist soil and a sunny or partially shaded spot. It can often be found growing wild along riverbanks. It is an excellent addition to a wilder part of the garden or a traditional physic garden. Be aware that it can self-seed quite freely if the flower heads are not removed. Cats are often strangely attracted to the scent of the dried roots.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.