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OT - valerian (Jupiters Beard) exploded among the roses this Spring

last year

We had a very wet winter (35+ inches of rain), followed by a cool and wet Spring. All of the roeses in my garden were 1 month late, but then WOW! Unfortunately, I had computer issues, so did not post any pics, as I could not figure out how to handle them.


One strange thing happened (in the garden - not on the computer). Valerian has naturalized all over Northern CA, and grows everywhere. It popped up in my garden years ago, and after trying to get rid of it, I gave up and decided I liked it (ha!). This Spring when the roses had a HUGE Spring flush, somehow I had 3-4 times more Valerian than we have ever had. One pic is below (I hope). I was so amazed! I decided at least 70% of them had to go, as they were smushing the roses and everything else. Luckily, we have an ancient agricultural fork which I think was my DH's Grandfather's(same size as a shovel, but with a large fork end). It is fabulous for digging up Valerian - it gets out those weird thick long roots that look like some sort of vegetable. So, after they were done blooming, I had my gardeners dig most of the bushes up. No fear - lots will be back next year.

Jackie






Comments (16)

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    My valerian have never done that, Jackie. I would be happy if they spread.

    I think yours are lovely.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    They're so beautiful. What a feast for the eyes! Thank you for sharing.

    My roses right now are just beginning second flush growth from dead heading cuts. Looks like a herd of goats speyoyont a good while working my rose bed over. It's been hot as blazes here for a couple weeks now which rushed the first flush through to its end, but while it lasted it was a pretty good show this year.

    Thanks again, Jacqueline!

    Moses.

  • last year

    So beautiful! Mine do spread a bit, but I am happy with the arrangement.

  • last year

    Jackie, they're gorgeous. My next door neighbor has the pink ones. For a large number of years, I grew the white Jupiter's Beard amongst my roses, and it was spectacular. I have some pics on my old computer and some flash drives, but they're not easy to access. The white is even more invasive than the pink, so I eventually culled them, but boy were they great. Your picture reminds me to think about putting them back in!

  • last year

    Amazing Jackie! It looks splendid, I am going to try some Valerian.

  • last year

    Red valerian is very common here; growing in the gaps in the roadside, pavements, brick walls, untended front gardens etc. Lots of them in my rose pots and in the gaps between the pavings. Once they finish flowering, I pull them out so that the fleshy roots do not damage the paving.

  • last year

    Im not sure what color I plantedbut I think red. They are in their own bed where nothing grows very well . I am hoping for a nice spread.

  • last year

    Floral UK is that your garden in that picture? What an amazing place.

  • last year

    I did look up its history once, and as I recall it was a garden flower in England in the 15th century. It is from the Meditteranean area, which is the kind of climate we have here. I have never planted even one - they just show up. I love the white ones, but for some reason they are way less happy here than the "red" or the pink colors.

    Jackie

  • last year

    I have a Mediterranean type climate with winter-ha, and Jupiter's Beard loves it here growing in the alkaline soil. All my plants started from two little passalongs 21 years ago that a friend gave me. I have removed many a seedling and plenty of full grown plants since then, but lots are still left. Occasionally a white Jup's Beard will pop up. They are larger and more aggressive than the pink and red ones. I don't have a lot of space for them, so eventually have removed the occasional white JB. A mature JB plant does have a long tap root, but If I can remove one, so can you. Diane

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Here's the only picture I could find on my old computer that had the name "Jupiter's Beard" in it. It's not a great pic, but it shows how the white is playing with the iris. I originally bought a six-pack of it, and it self-seeded like crazy for many years. I removed the ones I didn't want, but it eventually got a bit too rambunctious overall :-D

    click on pic to enlarge... it looks much better

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    No, that's not my garden. It's in a village called Reybridge, Wiltshire.

  • last year

    After a random seed of Jupiter's beard floated in from somewhere, it took over my strip of small herbs; I need to get it out. However, I have scattered seed heads over the borders of the Serbian Bed, a place where tough plants that can squash weedy competitors are welcome. I'm hoping it will take hold there. I can confirm what everybody says about its required growing conditions. It's a desirable plant in the right place.

  • last year

    I wish I could grow these here. I have excellent drainage, but I think my doil is too acidic. I’ve killed so many…

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Yes, it grows straight out of limestone walls here. I'd take some pix but it's finished flowering.