Valeriana officinalis

( val - eer - ee - AY - nuh )

At-A-Glance Information

Also called Valerian or Garden Heliotrope, this species of flowering perennial needs full sun to partial shade and regular water for best performance. They are hardy plants native to Europe and western Asia, and reaches 5 feet tall when in bloom, and spreads to 4 feet wide. Leaves are light green and flowers are white, forming in clusters at the ends of stems in summertime. they are great as filler in cut flower arrangements. Roots are strong-smelling and attract cats. Valerian grows best in zones 1-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Caring for valeriana

The genus Valeriana is a member of the plant family Caprifoliaceae and includes  Valerian grows best in zones 1-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Valeriana celtica (Apline Valerian, Valerian Spikenard)
​This species is native to mountainous areas and reaches between 2 and 6 inches tall. Flowers are cream, tipped with maroon. These plants were extensively harvested for export to Asia for use in perfumes until the 1930's, and roots are used in folk medicine.

Valeriana locusta (Mache, Cornsalad, Lamb's Lettuce)
These small, herbaceous plants are annuals, and are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, where it is consumed as a leafy green. Leaves are green. In warm climates, these plants tend to bolt. Flowers are blue-white and tiny.

Valeriana macrocera (Longhorn Seablush, White Plectritis)
These plants are native to California and Nevada and are commonly found in mountains, valleys, open steppe landscapes, and coastal habitats. It is an annual, and reaches between 24 and 32 inches tall when in bloom. Tiny flowers are white to pale pink.

​Valeriana officinalis (Valerian, Garden Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Setwall, All-Heal, Cat's Love)
These plants reach up to 5 feet tall and produce sweetly scented pink or white flowers that are pollinated by flies. Roots and leaves cause a catnip-like response in cats, hence the common name Cat's Love. Leaves are green and toothed.

Valeriana pauciflora (Largeflower Valerian)
These plants are native to the eastern United States where it is found growing in forested stream valleys and lower sloped areas. These perennials require a high-quality habitat, including rich soil, to perform well. Flowers are white to light pink, and bloom from late spring to early summertime in rounded clusters above green foliage.

Valeriana pyrenaica (Capon's Tall Grass, Pyrenean Valerian)
This species of Valerian is native to Spain and France, and is a garden escapee in Ireland and Great Britain. These perennial herbaceous flowering plants reach up to 4 feet tall when mature. They prefer to grow in mountain ranges near bodies of water.

Valeriana rubra (Spur Valerian, Kiss-Me-Quick, Fox's Brush, Devil's Beard, Jupiter's Beard)
This species is known for its striking ornamental flowers and is native to the Mediterranean. Leaves are green, and plants flower profusely (though individual flowers are small), producing purple red clusters in spring and summertime. There are many varieties of this species with flower colors ranging from deep crimson to pale pink and lavender. Cultivar 'Albus' has white flowers.

Valeriana sitchensis (Sitka Valerian)
These plants are native to the northwestern United States, from Alaska down through Canada and Montana to northern California. They can grow in a variety of habitats, including moist mountain forests and meadows. Individua plants produce a stout, erect stem to 28 inches tall (maximally over 40 inches). Leaves vary in shape and size, and are often deeply lobed. Small flowers form in showy inflorescences of many white or pink-tinged blooms. Native American populations historically ate and cooked the roots of this plant.

Valeriana woodsiana (Beaked Cornsalad)
These plants, native to the United States, is an annual edible, flowering between the months of April and May. They typically reach about 2 feet tall, and produce white flowers in rounded clusters at stem tips. These plants prefer to grow in wooded forest regions, and can grow near bodies of water or in drier soils like ditches and pasture lands. They can grow in full sun to moderate shade.

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Valeriana
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 644, Valeriana officinalis
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