Valerian is an easy - to - grow plant life that makes a fragrant increase to cottage garden and recurrent border .
Kritsada Panichgul
Valerian(Valeriana officinalis)has been work for centuries for its medicinal use andfragrant prime . It ’s also have it away as " all heal , " alluding to its historic role as a remedy for legion ailments .
Credit:Kritsada Panichgul
A improbable perennial with an vertical growth form , valerian is prosperous to spring up and sometimes hard to eliminate . If you ’re looking for a deer - resistant perennial with a graceful variant that isattractive to bees and butterflies , valerian checks those box . This clumping plant with chemical compound leaves and thick , good staunch can reach 6 feet tall . In summer , the tops of the stems are covered in clusters of tiny fragrant blooms . It bear wet sites , make it a problem - convergent thinker for that damp corner of the yard .
Valerian is n’t aboriginal to North America ; it was make for over from Europe and western Asia and has naturalized here . It distribute by rhizomes or come and often grows in disturbed areas like wayside ditch or grapevine right hand - of - way .
Where to Plant Valerian
Choose a location withpart nuance to full Lord’s Day . While valerian will grow in partially shady locations , too much shade get the stems to flop over . Valerian likes systematically moist , loamy soil but tolerates less - than - idealistic conditions and a range of pH. It choose the cooler summers of the northern portion of the United States , so provide good afternoon specter when plant it in the southerly states .
With its fragrant flowers and erect habit , valerian makes an excellent edging for a path , a visual screen for a seating area , or an informal variance between out-of-door domain .
Valerian is consider invasive in Connecticut and Wisconsin . mark off with your United States Department of State before set .
Credit:Andy Lyons
How and When to Plant Valerian
Valerian can be direct seeded into garden beds in spring after thedanger of Robert Frost has passedand the soil has warmed , orstarted indoorsabout four calendar week before transplanting . The seed need light to germinate , so do n’t bury them .
Sow valerian seeds on the soil aerofoil outside or athin level of perlite or vermiculiteif starting indoors . Lightly contract them into the planting mass medium without covering them . Use fresh come ; old valerianseed loses viability after a year . Even clean seeds usually sprout at only 60 to 70 pct .
Andy Lyons
Credit: Scott Little
Valerian Care Tips
Valerian is content to do its matter without much attention from gardeners , which is why it is listed as invading in some areas . It tolerates most dirt and has deep roots . Choose a cheery office with some wet , and it will be happy .
Light
Valerian enjoysfull sunshinebut will grow with four or more minute of sun daily . planting in the shade may succumb to stem flop .
Soil and Water
Valerian is adaptable and originate in most stain , leave they are n’t soggy . It is n’t fussy about pH but does best inslightly acid to electroneutral soils .
Valerian love uniform moisture levels but not wet or swampy conditions . Drainage is still a requirement . allow for subsidiary water during the first year in between rain shower . later on , it should only need watering during extended periods of dry weather . Maintaining a mulch layerunder and around valerian will keep it from dry out and reduce dope .
Temperature and Humidity
Valerian likes coolheaded conditions and does better in the northerly part of the country . It enjoys frequent rainfall and some humidity .
Fertilizer
Valerian does n’t need plant food , but it enjoysrich , loamy grease . Anannual program of compostshould take care of it .
Pruning
Valerian disperse easily , socut off the flower heads after they bloombut before they disperse seed . Cut the old stems and foliation to the ground in declension or other natural spring .
Potting and Repotting Valerian
Valerian can be planted in a 12- to 16 - in container , but it must be deep to oblige the plant ’s mysterious antecedent arrangement . Valerian enjoys consistently moist , not marshy soil , so the container must offer good drain . add up perlite to potting land to provide an environment that will keep the plant life well-chosen . Because valerian require a moist environment , this is an excellent time to try out a self - lacrimation container .
Harvesting
Cut halt in summertime for use in cut flower bouquets or to dry . Wait until at least the autumn of the second class to harvest the tooth root . You have to delve late to get them all . lap the roots and allow them to dry in a lovesome expanse . Many people dislike the smell of the dry roots , so do this outside . Store pieces of base in an airtight container out of the sunshine .
Pests and Problems
Valerian has naturalized in northeast North America and , like many introduced or non - native species , does n’t put up from many pesterer or disease issues .
How to Propagate Valerian
Valerian spreads by rhizomes and seeds . If you already have a valerian plant at home , dividing the rhizomesis the quickest means to circularize it . In late autumn or early spring , practice a garden branching to dig up the plant , remove it from the filth . Using your hand or a garden knife , tease and pull in the base glob into several piece . Replant each new patch and water it thoroughly .
Valerian Companion Plants
Mint
Any tallmint variety(Menthaspp . ) , like spearmint , makes an first-class companion industrial plant for valerian . Most are dauntless inUSDA Zones3 - 10 and vigorous . While they will spread , so can valerian , so your efforts to curb one will help in controlling the other .
German Chamomile
German chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla)is an yearly that ego - seeds so pronto it is often misidentify for a perennial . This herb enjoys the same sunshine and soil characteristics as valerian . Once established , it ’s drought - tolerant and provides loads of bright , daisy - similar blooms .
Bee Balm
Bee balm(Monardaspp . ) is a North American native and hardy perennial in USDA zone 3 - 8 . It grows 3 to 6 feet tall and flower abundantly . Its upright variety resemble valerian , and the plant is available in many colors . The semen head are pop with finch , and the flowers , as the name implies , are bed by pollinators .
Frequently Asked Questions
Valerian is a loyal cultivator that lives for about five years under ideal conditions .
Valerian is passing cold - hardy and hoar - repellent . It dies back to the land in winter and commit up fresh increment in early fountain .
No , this leafy perennial blooms the second year from ejaculate .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Cut the valerian plant back by a third after it prime in summertime , and there is a hazard it will rebloom in fall .
Valeriana officinalis . North Carolina State University Extension Plant Toolbox .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
