Re: Valerian update

Just to keep the ball rolling, I remember seeing so-called "red valerian," AKA
Jupiter's Beard or Keys to Heaven, years ago when I lived in the Bay Area which
of course has a mild climate generally, with very cool summers. It was always in
horrible spots where nothing else could grow, like cracks in sidewalks, or out
back next to the trash cans. It was everywhere, usually pink, rarely white. No
one TRIED to grow it.

Anelle doesn't say where she lives, but here in hot, muggy Southern Indiana we
can't grow Centranthus ruber very well. Occasionally one will see it in a
garden, but it never seems to thrive. Not only does it dislike our summers, but
it apparently can't tolerate good soil.

The real valerian (Valeriana officinalis), however, which can be (as someone
noted) 7 ft tall, DOES do well here in part shade OR full sun, is well behaved,
never spreads, pests don't bother it, and it comes back year after year. I can
take it or leave it but my husband loves it.

Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN 47401

Quoting Anelle Kloski <akloski@JPS.NET>:
> ...It certainly is an easy plant to grow, and while not exactly a shade
> plant, it does well anywhere.
> Anelle
>
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