Valerian: The Fragrant Wildflower That’s Taking Gardens by Storm
If you’re looking for a perennial that combines old-world charm with modern garden appeal, valerian (Valeriana) might just be your new best friend. This delightfully fragrant herb has been enchanting gardeners for centuries, and once you get to know it, you’ll understand why it deserves a spot in your landscape.
What Exactly Is Valerian?
Valerian is a perennial forb—essentially a flowering plant without woody stems that comes back year after year. Think of it as nature’s own cottage garden superstar. Unlike shrubs or trees, valerian keeps its growing points right at or below ground level, sending up fresh growth each spring from its underground roots.
This hardy perennial is classified as an herb, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s just for the kitchen garden. Valerian brings serious ornamental value to any landscape with its clusters of sweetly fragrant flowers that seem to float above the foliage on tall, graceful stems.
Where Does Valerian Call Home?
Valerian has quite the impressive native range! It’s originally from Alaska and Puerto Rico, which might seem like an odd combination, but this plant is clearly more adaptable than most. Today, you’ll find valerian thriving across an enormous geographic range that spans from coast to coast.
This resilient perennial has established itself across the United States and Canada, from Alberta to Alabama, British Columbia to Florida, and everywhere in between. You can find it growing happily in places as diverse as Alaska’s wilderness, the maritime provinces of Canada, the Rocky Mountains, and even the tropical climate of Puerto Rico.
Why Gardeners Are Falling for Valerian
There’s something undeniably romantic about valerian’s delicate clusters of small, fragrant flowers. Most commonly appearing in soft whites, gentle pinks, or pale lavenders, these blooms create an almost cloud-like effect when they sway in the breeze. The sweet, honey-like fragrance is particularly enchanting in the evening hours.
But valerian isn’t just a pretty face—it’s also incredibly practical. This plant excels at naturalizing, meaning it’ll self-seed and create lovely drifts over time without becoming aggressively invasive. It’s perfect for gardeners who love that it just happened naturally look.
Perfect Spots for Valerian in Your Garden
Valerian is wonderfully versatile when it comes to garden design. Here are some of the best ways to use it:
- Cottage Gardens: Its informal, romantic appearance makes it a natural fit alongside roses, lavender, and other cottage garden classics
- Wildflower Meadows: Let it naturalize with native grasses and other wildflowers for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly landscape
- Woodland Gardens: It thrives in the dappled light beneath trees and pairs beautifully with ferns and hostas
- Back of the Border: Its tall flower stems make it ideal for providing height and structure behind shorter perennials
Keeping Pollinators Happy
One of valerian’s best-kept secrets is its incredible appeal to beneficial insects. The fragrant flowers are like a welcome mat for butterflies, and night-flying moths find the evening fragrance irresistible. You’ll also notice various beneficial insects visiting throughout the blooming season, making valerian an excellent choice for anyone interested in supporting local pollinator populations.
Growing Valerian Successfully
The good news about valerian is that it’s refreshingly unfussy. This perennial adapts well to various growing conditions, though it does have some preferences:
Light Requirements: Valerian is quite flexible, growing well in everything from partial shade to full sun. In hotter climates, it appreciates some afternoon shade.
Soil Preferences: While it’s not particularly picky about soil type, valerian performs best in moist, well-draining soil. It can tolerate various pH levels and soil compositions.
Hardiness: Most valerian species are remarkably hardy, typically thriving in USDA zones 3-9, making them suitable for the vast majority of North American gardens.
Planting and Care Tips
Getting valerian established in your garden is surprisingly straightforward:
- Starting from Seed: Valerian seeds germinate readily, and the plant often self-seeds once established
- Division: Mature clumps can be divided in spring or fall to create new plants
- Spacing: Give plants adequate room to spread—they’ll thank you with better air circulation and fewer disease issues
- Support: In windy locations, taller varieties may benefit from staking to prevent the flower stems from toppling
- Maintenance: Deadheading spent flowers will encourage continued blooming, though leaving some seed heads provides food for birds
Is Valerian Right for Your Garden?
Valerian is an excellent choice for gardeners who appreciate plants with both beauty and purpose. Its ability to attract beneficial insects, combined with its lovely fragrance and easy-care nature, makes it a valuable addition to most landscapes.
Keep in mind that valerian does self-seed, so if you prefer a highly controlled garden design, you might want to deadhead consistently or choose a location where naturalization is welcome. For most gardeners, though, this tendency to spread gradually is seen as a bonus rather than a drawback.
Whether you’re creating a cottage garden retreat, establishing a wildflower meadow, or simply looking for a reliable perennial that offers something special, valerian brings that perfect combination of beauty, fragrance, and ecological value that makes gardening such a joy.
