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Talkback: Valerian

FlamingJuneFlamingJune Posts: 13
in Talkback
I actually grey this deliberately for the butterflies, of which there are, sadly, too few. My personal view is that anything that encourages bees or butterflies should not be thought of as a weed unless its really horrid, thick Japanese knotweedish sort of things.
I'd be interested to see what people think about this.
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Posts

  • porpoiseporpoise Posts: 1
    Totally agree. Anything that benefits insects, butterflies or birds stays, if it spreads it's up to me to keep it in check but it still stays.
  • Gaby ThomasGaby Thomas Posts: 4
    I keep mine in a border just for Bees and Butterflies. they Love it and i enjoy watching them!

    :-)
  • diggingdorisdiggingdoris Posts: 513

    It's pretty and yes the insects love it but it  can take over a bit can't it? The roots are big fleshy things and a job to get rid of. Millions of seedlings as well, so a bit of management required!

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    I love it image

     



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Stacey DochertyStacey Docherty Posts: 1,759

    Oooohhh that's the name of it!!!! I have a clump that has self seeded last year to my delight I have moved the babies all over!!!!! Love it

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    Just be careful where you let it seed.  If you have any gravel and it gets in there (even if the gravel is on top of membrane) you will never be rid of it!  It also stinks when rotting at the end of the season so best not grown close to entrances.  It is quite nice for what is a rampant weed for me though image.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • flowersforbeesflowersforbees Posts: 221

    I'm trying to get a clump of it established in my wildflower garden - it's so pretty

    as well as being great for the wildlife.image

  • Forester2Forester2 Posts: 1,477
    Lovely plant for insects and looks good too - I only wish it smelt as nice as it looks as I hate the smell. Just like Bob the Gardener says.
  • Pottie PamPottie Pam Posts: 887

    The humming bird hawk moth loves this. My favourite insect.

  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    I think there are nicer things to grow for insects etc. I find it invasive, just look how many you see growing in nooks and cranies on streets. When we moved here 14yrs ago it was everywhere. As Bob says the roots do smell. Before I knew what it was we called it "stinky root plant".

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