Valeriana pyrenaica

RHS Plant Profile
capon's tail grass

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capon's tail grass RHS
capon's tail grass RHS
capon's tail grass RHS

Other common names

Pyrenean valerian

Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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