Valerian getting a haircut

My valerian, both the red and the white kind, was going to seed. I don't want to be overrun with valerian, especially as it has a tough root, and I want a second flush of flowers. So this evening I went out with the secateurs and cut it right back.

End of May and beginning of June is when my garden is at its best, colour wise, and best for insects too. This period is later this year by about 3 weeks. But from now on I am doing everything I can to have food for the insects that the earlier flowers have encouraged.

Valerian

While the plumber was here fitting my new boiler I went round the garden cutting off the valerian which is now beginning to loose its flowers. I have enough of the stuff, so want to prevent it seeding. I left one head of the white valerian. If the cuttting I took doesn't root, I hope to get seeds for my friend, Tina.

Cutting of the heads also gives a second flush of flowers later in the season when my garden needs it - both for the colour and the insects!