Valeriana officinalis, Valerian

Lovely and lithe, a perennial to 5ft, valerian radiates in fragrance among dense flowering heads of white, pink and lavender, May-Aug. Native to grassland mountainsides of eastern Europe, now naturalized over much of eastern and central US.

Grow specs: Plant out in moist rich loam, full sun to partial shade at 12" spacing. Good companion. Hardy to 40 deg. F.

Valerian's medicinal use dates back to Dioscordes, in 1st century AD, who named it “phu” after the dried root aroma. Traditionally prescribed for stress, depression, hysteria, muscle spasms, migraine, and insomnia. Do not use in large doses or over extended time period.
$3.00