Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
A perennial flowering plant, native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers that bloom in the summer and can reach a height of 1.5m. The scent is rich and exotic. Valerian flower extracts were used as a perfume in the 16th century. The flowers attract a lot of bees and hoverflies into the garden.
An easy to care for plant, it is generally untroubled by pests and diseases and doesn’t require pruning, other than cutting back to ground level in autumn (however, if you don’t want seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden, you can remove old flower heads before they set seed).
Start seeds in trays. Seeds should be scattered on the surface of the compost and not covered, as they need light for germination which should begin after about ten days. Plant seedlings in individual pots when large enough to handle. When a good root system has developed, plant outdoors anytime in spring or summer.
An easy to care for plant, it is generally untroubled by pests and diseases and doesn’t require pruning, other than cutting back to ground level in autumn (however, if you don’t want seedlings popping up everywhere in your garden, you can remove old flower heads before they set seed).
Start seeds in trays. Seeds should be scattered on the surface of the compost and not covered, as they need light for germination which should begin after about ten days. Plant seedlings in individual pots when large enough to handle. When a good root system has developed, plant outdoors anytime in spring or summer.
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