Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian is 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.
The roots have been used medicinally for centuries and there are countless historical records of its use. Today, the roots are mostly used for calming nerves and promoting sleep.
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). Roots can be dug from late autum through to early spring, from the third year from seed. Plants should be dug up and the roots trimmed, collected, washed and dried. The crowns can be divided and replanted.
Sowing and growing
Start seeds in trays. They 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 into individual pots when large enough to handle. When a good root system has developed, plant outdoors anytime in spring or summer.
Divide crowns from late autumn to spring and replant the sections (harvesting roots as you go). Valerian will self-seed prolifically if you don't remove the flowerheads before seeds form.
The roots have been used medicinally for centuries and there are countless historical records of its use. Today, the roots are mostly used for calming nerves and promoting sleep.
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). Roots can be dug from late autum through to early spring, from the third year from seed. Plants should be dug up and the roots trimmed, collected, washed and dried. The crowns can be divided and replanted.
Sowing and growing
Start seeds in trays. They 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 into individual pots when large enough to handle. When a good root system has developed, plant outdoors anytime in spring or summer.
Divide crowns from late autumn to spring and replant the sections (harvesting roots as you go). Valerian will self-seed prolifically if you don't remove the flowerheads before seeds form.
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