TOWERS of strength

They’re not just statuesque beauties – versatile valerians have been used to soothe nerves and even catch rodents, says Monty Don

Iremember holidaying in Cornwall more than 50 years ago and being astounded by a lovely, deep- pink umbellifer that seemed to spring directly from the stone. I certainly didn’t use the word ‘umbellifer’ back then, but I did know a plant that I liked when I saw it, and I liked that one very much indeed.

It turned out that this was red valerian, Centranthus ruber, which is not in fact a native of Cornwall or anywhere else in the British Isles. It was introduced some time before 1600 from the Mediterranean and naturalised itself on Cornish and Devon rocks and cliffs by the end of the 18th century before becoming very common on walls and buildings in the mild West Country. As an introduction to valerian this was suitably odd and cock-eyed, given how different Cornwall was to our home in Hampshire.

But the common valerian, Valeriana officinalis, was in fact growing quite happily in the fields and lanes at home. This white umbellifer, looking in flower very like cow parsley or wild carrot but with a distinct foliage that is less ferny and a glaucous grey, grows to a modest height when on the chalk downland around my childhood home, but can reach 1.5m tall in rich soil – as it does in my garden.

The stems are straight and need little support until they start to age, and the plant has real stature and presence while still retaining the delicacy that all umbellifers seem to add to any border. It is also very popular with a wide range of insects.

Valerian has a distinct vanilla-ish scent that I like very much, but some may find a little strong if there is a mass of it growing. However, the roots do smell distinctively unpleasant should you dig them up and sniff them – although apparently cats find the smell irresistible and react to it in the same

way as they do catmint. Rats love it too and it has been used as bait for rat traps.

Valerian has traditionally been cultivated as a sedative and a cure for nervous disorders, with cultivation in this country concentrated in Derbyshire, where it was grown as a field crop. The top parts were discarded and the roots were dried and ground.

Valerian is easy to grow from seeds sown in spring. They do not need extra heat and will germinate in 3- 4 weeks if put on a cool windowsill or cold frame. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be pricked out and grown on until 15cm or so high and then planted at 60-90cm spacing, as they become quite large plants. Light shade is ideal, and the richer and more moist the ground, the bigger the plants will grow. Established plants can be divided in autumn.

Corn salad or lamb’s lettuce, Valerianella locusta, is another slightly unlikely member of the Valerian family, but one that I grow every year. It can be delicious as salad leaves as it has a slightly buttery, succulent texture. But it can be a little temperamental to grow, as it dislikes hot weather and hates drying out. Once the plants get established, however, they can be harvested a number of times and the leaves will regrow quickly.

I usually sow some about now to grow in the cooler days ahead, ready for harvesting in late autumn through to spring. If you have an unheated greenhouse or a polytunnel, they will be very happy in this without any extra protection – but they will need regular watering, even in the middle of winter.

Monty with his common valerian