Red valerian, a Mediterranean native, fares best in well-drained soil in full sun. It tolerates drought but not shade—there its growth is poor and it doesn’t flower well. Plant red valerian in spring from container-grown specimens. Plants respond to cutting by producing more flowers, making this an excellent choice for the cutting garden. Deadhead frequently to encourage more blossoms and to prevent unwanted seedlings of different hues than the parent plant. Propagate from seeds in early spring in a heated greenhouse or simply buy starter plants from your local nursery.
Red valerian is a fine border plant with clusters of red, deep pink, rose-pink, or pure white, lightly fragrant flowers that top willowlike gray-green leaves. It starts flowering in late spring and repeats all summer and into fall, even sporadically through the winter in California, especially if spent flowers are removed promptly. Red valerian adds a colorful note to a vase of cut flowers.
ZONES: 5–8
BLOOM TIME: Early summer to late fall
LIGHT: Full sun
HEIGHT: 36 inches
INTEREST: Showy red, pink, or white, lightly fragrant flowers; attractive grayish green leaves
Plant red valerian in a sunny border next to white-or blue-flowered plants such as delphiniums and columbines, with gray-foliaged artemisias, or in front of shrubs with purple or bronze foliage such as smoke tree or weigela. This plant is equally at home in the Northeast and the Northwest, but not in the Deep South, where hot, muggy nights take their toll.