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Herbaceous Perennial

Valeriana pyrenaica

capon's tail grass

A bushy, herbaceous perennial to 1.2m with large, heart-shaped leaves and small, pale purple flowers produced in rounded clusters in late spring and early summer

Other common names

Pyrenean valerian

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Valeriana can be annuals, herbaceous perennials or evergreen shrubs, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and terminal sprays of small, white, pink or yellow flowers
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Pyrenees

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil in full sun or dappled shade. Tends to self seed

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in the open, or by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Prairie planting
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

None pruning required, other than cutting back to ground level in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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