Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

ALMOST BEEKEEPING - RELATED TOPICS => GARDENING AROUND THE HOUSE => Topic started by: Cindi on November 24, 2007, 11:12:11 pm

Title: Valerian -- a monster
Post by: Cindi on November 24, 2007, 11:12:11 pm
Guess how tall this Valerian is!!!!  I'll tell you after you have looked at the picture.  It was an amazing plant that my Sister put in the back end of her garden.  It was an astounding plant.  I gathered seed from it, but not knowing if it was a hybrid or not, I have no clue what the seedlings will bring this spring.  It will be a top secret until it actually grows and blooms.  Enjoy the picture.

(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8171/valaerian640x480qt3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9936/valerian2640x480ks0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

I would venture that this plant grew to be about 12 feet tall by about 5-6 feet wide.  It was an amazing and beautiful plant and flowers were just as nice.  I don't know if there were beneficial insects on it or not, never mind if the honeybees liked it, but it was perfect for the back corner.  C.
Title: Re: Valerian -- a monster
Post by: reinbeau on November 25, 2007, 04:32:26 pm
Cindi, do you have any cats?  Cats love valerian almost as much as catnip!  It is lovely, but huge, I had to take it out of my garden, it was too big.  Now with my new, expanded garden Greg is working on for me I'll be able to have it again.
Title: Re: Valerian -- a monster
Post by: Cindi on November 25, 2007, 10:53:34 pm
Ann, nope, no cats, too many dogs that I think may attack.  If a cat came here and didn't run, well then the dogs may befriend them, but anything running.......they are off on the hunt!!!

Like I said, yes, it was a monster of a plant, towered over stuff, and one would have to be careful where to plant it.  The foliage is not thick, that is a saving grace.  I use Valerian Root actually for sleeping now and then.  I don't know if it helps, but I would like to think that it does.  But man oh man, don't take a whiff of that bottle that the capsules come in, it stinks like nothing on this earth.  One day, if I ever get up the guts, may try to dry some of the root, just for the fun of it, but it really would be a much simpler process to buy it at our great store, Roots, they are wonderful to deal with, and sell only quality products.  So.....when Greg is done that garden for you, find a nice little (big) corner and let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!!!!  Beautiful day, beautiful life.  Cindi