Sharp-leaf Valerian
Valeriana acutiloba
(also known as Downy-fruited valerian, Hairyfruit valerian, Mountain verbena, Cordilleran valerian, Subalpine valerian)
zones 3-5
45 seeds
The white-flowered Sharp-leaf Valerian grows in moist, shady environments at high altitudes (6,500-9,000 ft). It can be found in coniferous woodlands, meadows, and rocky hillsides. Valerian refers to the Latin word valere meaning “to be well / healthy”. Acutiloba references the plant’s pointed leaves. It reaches a height of 4-24” tall and blooms early in the summer while north-facing slopes are still covered in snow.
Linnaeus named this genus in 1753. Rydberg collected the first specimen of what we now call V. acutiloba in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Eastern Colorado around 1900 and named and described the species in 1901. Frederick Meyer renamed the plantValeriana capitata in 1951, but it has now reverted to Rydberg's original name, Valeriana acutiloba. The roots of this species are larger than most Valeriana roots. Valerian is well-known for its medicinal uses.
Valerian requires a period of cold stratification. This can be achieved by either direct sowing outdoors in a prepared bed in fall and allowing the seed to emerge in place in spring, or by chilling the seed in a refrigerator over the winter for at least 5 weeks and planting in spring.
For spring planting, sow cold-stratified seed directly into a prepared bed as soon as the possibility of hard frost has passed. Most seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate, but some slower ones can take up to 5 weeks. It takes one month for true leaves (ones that look like Valerian) to emerge. Valerian prefers rich soil, high in phosphorus and humus, but will tolerate clay soil.
Valeriana acutiloba
(also known as Downy-fruited valerian, Hairyfruit valerian, Mountain verbena, Cordilleran valerian, Subalpine valerian)
zones 3-5
45 seeds
The white-flowered Sharp-leaf Valerian grows in moist, shady environments at high altitudes (6,500-9,000 ft). It can be found in coniferous woodlands, meadows, and rocky hillsides. Valerian refers to the Latin word valere meaning “to be well / healthy”. Acutiloba references the plant’s pointed leaves. It reaches a height of 4-24” tall and blooms early in the summer while north-facing slopes are still covered in snow.
Linnaeus named this genus in 1753. Rydberg collected the first specimen of what we now call V. acutiloba in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Eastern Colorado around 1900 and named and described the species in 1901. Frederick Meyer renamed the plantValeriana capitata in 1951, but it has now reverted to Rydberg's original name, Valeriana acutiloba. The roots of this species are larger than most Valeriana roots. Valerian is well-known for its medicinal uses.
Valerian requires a period of cold stratification. This can be achieved by either direct sowing outdoors in a prepared bed in fall and allowing the seed to emerge in place in spring, or by chilling the seed in a refrigerator over the winter for at least 5 weeks and planting in spring.
For spring planting, sow cold-stratified seed directly into a prepared bed as soon as the possibility of hard frost has passed. Most seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate, but some slower ones can take up to 5 weeks. It takes one month for true leaves (ones that look like Valerian) to emerge. Valerian prefers rich soil, high in phosphorus and humus, but will tolerate clay soil.
Valeriana acutiloba
(also known as Downy-fruited valerian, Hairyfruit valerian, Mountain verbena, Cordilleran valerian, Subalpine valerian)
zones 3-5
45 seeds
The white-flowered Sharp-leaf Valerian grows in moist, shady environments at high altitudes (6,500-9,000 ft). It can be found in coniferous woodlands, meadows, and rocky hillsides. Valerian refers to the Latin word valere meaning “to be well / healthy”. Acutiloba references the plant’s pointed leaves. It reaches a height of 4-24” tall and blooms early in the summer while north-facing slopes are still covered in snow.
Linnaeus named this genus in 1753. Rydberg collected the first specimen of what we now call V. acutiloba in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Eastern Colorado around 1900 and named and described the species in 1901. Frederick Meyer renamed the plantValeriana capitata in 1951, but it has now reverted to Rydberg's original name, Valeriana acutiloba. The roots of this species are larger than most Valeriana roots. Valerian is well-known for its medicinal uses.
Valerian requires a period of cold stratification. This can be achieved by either direct sowing outdoors in a prepared bed in fall and allowing the seed to emerge in place in spring, or by chilling the seed in a refrigerator over the winter for at least 5 weeks and planting in spring.
For spring planting, sow cold-stratified seed directly into a prepared bed as soon as the possibility of hard frost has passed. Most seeds will take 7-14 days to germinate, but some slower ones can take up to 5 weeks. It takes one month for true leaves (ones that look like Valerian) to emerge. Valerian prefers rich soil, high in phosphorus and humus, but will tolerate clay soil.