Red valerian

should I cut back my red valerian when it stops flowering? I realise it will not seed if I do this, but would I get a second flush. any sugestions please.

 

Hi Poppy. Yes, you will get a second flush. Last year my valerian, in a sunny but dry spot, flowered for 12 weeks. Then at the start of July I cut it back very hard. It was starting to flower again after three weeks and in full flower after five weeks, flowering for another five to seven weeks.

Having said that, the year before I never cut it back, and it got a second wind by itself, flowering for a full continuous 27 weeks.

To my mind it is one of the most useful plants in the garden, and so tough it doesn't really matter what you do.

 

Thanks for your reply, think I will cut it back and then after 2nd flush let it set seed. Your right it is such a useful plant, I also have the white Variety, thats great and seeds all over the garden...so pretty and attracts the moths in the evenings.