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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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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
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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