Valeriana celtica
Family: Valerianaceae
What it is like
Valeriana celtica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to July. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Alpine pastures, 1800 - 2800 metres.
Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Root. An aromatic flavour.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The whole plant, but especially the root, is nervine.
Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.
Other
Rating:
The roots are added to bath water to make it aromatic. An essential oil from the roots has a powerful aroma resembling chamomile and patchouli.
Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. A calcifuge plant, it requires an acid soil. The roots are sweetly scented, the aroma resembling chamomile and patchouli. The root used to be exported for use in perfumery etc. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed because it requires light for germination. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions in the summer if sufficient growth has been made. If the plants are too small to plant out, grow them on in the greenhouse or frame for their first winter and plant them out early in the following summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Some caution is advised with the use of this plant. At least one member of the genus is considered to be poisonous raw and V. officinalis is a powerful nervine and sedative that can become habit-forming.