{"product_id":"valerian-red","title":"Valerian, Red","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Valerian\u003c\/strong\u003e has sweet scented flowers that are irresistible to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.  It blooms all summer and carries on well into the autumn.  It is a brilliant plant for dry beds, gravel gardens, close to a hedge, through paving or even in walls and stunning planted as a drift across a bank. Not only is it a wildlife friendly choice, it also makes a good cut flower, and both the leaves and roots are edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: July - October\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: 60 to 90cm\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOW: \u003c\/strong\u003eyou can sow either indoors or outdoors. Please be aware that some seeds may not germinate in the year they are sown. Red Valerian often needs a period of winter chilling after sowing and may only appear with natural spring germination. You can mimic this by placing the seeds in the fridge for two weeks before sowing.\u003cbr\u003eIndoors: Sow from March. Surface sow onto moist, well drained seed compost and lightly cover the seed. Keep at 18 to 20°C. Germination usually takes around 21 to 30 days. Transplant seedlings into small pots once large enough to handle and grow on. Harden off and plant out in late spring.\u003cbr\u003eOutdoors: Sow from April to June in open ground or into trays in a cold frame. Plants raised in a cold frame can be planted out during September to October for flowering the following summer. Or follow the natural pattern and sow in the autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGROW: \u003c\/strong\u003espace at 30cm apart. Red Valerian is very forgiving and will grow happily in shallow or poor soil where very little else will thrive, although it flowers best in full sun. Deadheading encourages more blooms. In autumn, cut plants back to ground level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e📌\u003cstrong\u003eUSES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtremely attractive to bees \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther pollinators also benefit from this plant, creating a healthier garden ecosystem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt can be seen naturalised in the wild and although non-native status, it is a good source of nectar for moths like the Hummingbird hawk-moth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYoung leaves can be eaten in salads.  They can also be lightly cooked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe roots can be boiled and used for soups and slow cooked stews, they can be bitter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWith origins in the Mediterranean, Red Valerian was introduced to northern Europe as an ornamental garden plant by the 16th century.  It was famously grown and described by John Gerard in his Herball of 1597.  It escaped from gardens, with the first records of it growing wild dating from 1763.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSince then it has naturalised widely, particularly in southern counties, where it can be seen thriving on walls, banks and waste ground. Its steady spread northwards may be linked to a warming climate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe plant was long known botanically as Centranthus ruber, and is now classed as Valeriana ruber. It is best known for its vivid deep pink flowers, though paler pink, red, lilac and occasional white forms also occur.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDespite the name, Red Valerian is distinct from Valeriana officinalis, which has been used medicinally for sleep. Red Valerian itself has no known medicinal properties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🏡 \u003cstrong\u003eIn your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhere other plants struggle, Red Valerian really shines. Its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soil make it a star for gravel, coastal and dry gardens. As a native plant it plays an important role in wildlife gardens. It suits cottage and informal styles and looks wonderful allowed to semi naturalise on banks, among paving or along walls. It also fits beautifully into Mediterranean style planting, and as a perennial you are sowing seeds for many years of enjoyment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53082405568788,"sku":"WLDRV","price":2.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/valerianred.jpg?v=1784998005","url":"https:\/\/moreveg.co.uk\/products\/valerian-red","provider":"MoreVeg Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}