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Herbaceous Perennial

Valeriana phu 'Aurea'

golden spikenard 'Aurea'

A rhizomatous perennial forming a clump of scented leaves, the basal ones simple, those on the stems pinnate, all opening yellow in spring, becoming yellowish-green by summer; sprays of small white flowers open in early summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 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

South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in any moist, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division or propagate by seed in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back to ground level at the end of the growing season

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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