Valeriana dioica aka Marsh Valerian

Valeriana dioica is a small plant that lives for years. Its common names are marsh valerian and woods valerian. It belongs to Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family. Its native range spans subarctic America. It includes the northern and western United States. It also runs across Europe to northwestern Türkiye. The RHS lists it as native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in temperate zones and comes back each year. Plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] in height. In the wild, it grows in wet meadows, fens and bogs.

Flowers bloom from May to June. Insects pollinate them, carrying pollen from flower to flower. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The term for this is dioecious. Gardeners need both sexes to get seed. Its low height suits a meadow or bog garden. These sites also suit its need for damp ground. Its blooms add interest in late spring and early summer.

Grow marsh valerian in sun, not in shade. It needs soil that stays moist or wet. Plants For A Future says ordinary garden soil can suit it. It lists sand, loam and clay as suitable soils. It also calls for soil from slightly acid to neutral. The same source says the soil should have no lime. So do not add lime to the planting area. Check both dampness and soil chemistry when you choose a site. A wet site alone does not meet all these needs.

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Give it a thin cover, as light helps it sprout. Put each seedling in its own pot when large enough to handle. Strong young plants can go into the garden that summer. Keep smaller plants under cover through their first winter. Plant them out early in the next summer. You can also split plants in spring to grow more. Large pieces can go straight into their final sites. Grow small pieces in pots until they take hold well.

Plants For A Future gives it a low food-use rating. It lists cooked roots and parched seeds as foods. To prepare the roots, bake them slowly over two days. Reported uses include vegetables, soup and bread. The source also gives it a low rating for use as medicine. It records uses of the whole plant, with most focus on roots. These include uses to calm people and treat cramps and gas. It warns that use as medicine calls for care. The supplied evidence does not set a toxicity class for this species.