Valeriana phu
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Valeriana phu

Turkey Valerian

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
5–32 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 4–7
Click count
25
Observations
55

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Valeriana phu, the golden spikenard, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to northern Turkey. A rhizomatous geophytic perennial reaching 1 to 1.5 m, it has a cultivar, 'Aurea', that is widely available from commercial suppliers.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Mountain valerian performs best when exposed to abundant light. It can tolerate a little shade, but constant sun exposure encourages healthier, more vigorous growth. Native to well-lit habitats, it is adapted to those conditions. Excessive sun can cause it to dry out, while insufficient light can limit its development.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–32.2°C

Mountain valerian is native to regions with mild climates and grows best when temperatures range from 41 to 89.6 °F (5 to 32 °C). Taking steps to avoid extreme temperatures, especially in summer and winter, is essential for its health.

Ideal temperature: 5–32.2°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Mountain valerian is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and begins active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients needed for healthy development. While Mountain valerian has relatively low fertilizer requirements, an annual application can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Pruning Valeriana phu in early spring offers several benefits. Start by focusing on removing any dead or damaged stems to encourage growth and maintain the plant’s shape. Thinning out dense areas improves air circulation, which helps reduce the risk of disease. Be careful not to prune too heavily, as this can stress the plant. Additionally, removing lower leaves can enhance the plant's appearance and prevent rot.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Valeriana
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Hardiness Zone
4-7
Mature Height
40 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Pink, White
Flower Size
0.25 cm to 0.51 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Summer
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
Germany, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Romania, France, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia

Tags (7)

Common Names (1)

en Turkey Valerian