Valeriana scouleri, commonly known as Scouler’s valerian, is a perennial herb that is native to moist, forested habitats in western North America, including the US states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. It typically grows up to 1 meter tall and features clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The flowers are mildly fragrant and attract a variety of pollinators. Scouler’s valerian has a clumping form with pinnately compound leaves that are lush and green, adding to its visual appeal in a garden setting.

Scouler’s valerian is valued for its ease of maintenance and its ability to thrive in shady conditions, making it a suitable choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas. It prefers consistently moist soil and partial shade, although it can tolerate periods of drought once established. This plant is also used in traditional medicine, and its roots have been harvested for their sedative properties. In cultivation, it is important to manage its spread, as it can self-seed and become somewhat aggressive in favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0