Valerian
KEY INFORMATION
Height: to 150cm
Spread: to 40cm
Perennial
Sun / semi-shade
Germination: 14 - 28 days
VARIETIES AVAILABLE FROM COLLIE FLOWERS
SOWING & GROWING SCHEDULE
Sow Indoors: Year 1: February - July
Sow Outdoors: n/a
Plant Out: Year 1: May - June (early sowing) or September-October (later sowing)
Blooms: Year 1 (early sowing): July - August. Year 2: May - August
Besides its use as a herb, Valerian also has beautiful, vanilla-scented blossoms. Once it is established in the garden it will grow for years, and it’s an easy plant to take softwood cuttings from in the spring. Its flowers attract pollinators, and its scent is loved by cats. The flower stems of valerian grow to 1-1.5m tall from a basal clump of foliage, so plant towards the middle or back of a border.
Sown in early spring, it will produce flowers from early summer, usually in around 10 weeks from sowing. Alternatively, grow it as a biennial for blooming in the following spring.
Sow seeds indoors or under glass from February to April as a late flowering annual, or from May to July for flowering the following the spring. Sow on the surface of a good quality seed compost and gently firm down. Place the seed tray in a propagator or seal inside a clear polythene bag until germination. Keep the compost damp but not wet and do not exclude light.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm pots and grow the plants on in cooler conditions. When all risk of frost has passed (for early sown seeds), gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.
Plant out summer sown seedling in autumn. Plant at a distance of 45cm apart on any fertile, well drained soil in full sun.
TOP TIP
After flowering in summer, cut back faded flower stems to avoid self seeding, then cut back all growth after it has died back in autumn. The medicinal part of common valerian, Valeriana officinalis, is its root. Wait until the plant is well established (at least two years old), and then dig up whole roots in late autumn. Wash the rots thoroughly, removing the tiny fibrous roots around the outside, then dry in an airy place such as an shed or under cover outdoors, as the roots give off an unpleasant smell.
CAUTION: Valerian should not be taken in large amounts or for a long period. Always consult a doctor, pharmacist, or a qualified herbalist before self-medicating.