red valerian

Hi,



Do you know when Red Valerian is on sale at garden centres?

Is it too early right now?

Also if I use seeds do the small seedlings get munched by the snails?



many thanks

 

Hi GL,

Not something i've looked for in Garden centres, you might find it in the wild flower seed section, don't know if its sold as a cultivated flower.

It grows wild on stone walls, which are full of snails, so I don't think they would be a problem.

Its got invasive roots mind so watch it near masonry. And don't get it confused with Marsh Valerian, which smells of Cat WeeWee.

 

Hi Garden learner - Red Valerian is very easy from seed, and if I remember right it will flower in the first year. I don't think it is effected by snails.

If I was going to grow it from seed, I would be inclined to sow some seed in a small seed tray and then transplant into small pots (or even sow direct into small pots). That way you can keep them away from slugs and by watering them regularly give them the best chance of survival.

You can transplant them when they are young with little trouble, but once they have got established you can't move them. They have a tap root that goes down very deep, and you will invariable break it. Incidentally the tap root is what allows the established plants to survive in very dry soil.

Overall an excellent plant, and one of my favorites. It flowers for ages, and when it has finished flowering in the middle of the year cut it back and it will regrow and start flowering again in as little as three weeks. It will self seed in future years and you can collect these and put them somewhere else.

 

What you need to look for is Centranthus Ruber! Valerian is the usual common name although real Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is something different. Confusing, aint it?

 

I've seen it for sale at Greatstone Garden Centre (Romney Marsh). It grows wild all over the place though and has popped up in my garden all on its own :thumb: