One of the quintessential wildflowers, Common Valerian can be found growing in dry or damp grassland, though it won't tolerate waterlogged conditions where its shorter relative Marsh Valerian thrives.

It's a perennial plant that grows up to 1.5m tall, with strangely scented pinnate (feather-shaped) leaves. Its flower heads look a little like umbellifers, but it's more closely related to the Teasel than the Wild Carrot. It blooms in June to late August - much later than Marsh Valerian - and has pale pink-coloured flowers or pure white ones, the latter being much less frequently seen.

Historically used in sleeping potions and still used as a sedative because of its nervous system-calming qualities, Valerian is also a wildlife-friendly plant beloved by pollinators and other insects.