Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a hardy perennial, but Elk Grove's hot, dry summers are its main challenge. Its usual range is USDA zones 4 to 8, and Elk Grove is around zone 9, so it will need some help.
Ideal conditions:
- Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade. Full sun is fine in cooler months, but the plant does best where the afternoon heat is softened.
- Soil: Rich, loamy, and consistently moist but well drained. Heavy clay should be amended with compost.
- Water: Deep watering every week or so in summer, more often in a heat wave. Mulch heavily with straw or shredded leaves to keep the roots cool and the moisture in.
- Spacing: Give it about 2 to 3 feet, since it grows tall and spreads.
Sowing and planting: October is a good time to start in Sacramento-area gardens. Sow seed on the surface, because valerian seeds need light to germinate and sprout slowly over several weeks. Transplanting a nursery plant in fall is also easier than in summer. Expect foliage the first year and flowers in the second. Roots are usually harvested in autumn of the second year.
If your summers stay brutal, a large pot in partial shade lets you move it to the coolest spot on the patio.
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