Patrinia monandra

Patrinia monandra (synonym P. formosana) is a large perennial native to Asia that deserves to be planted more in gardens. Combining robustness and generosity, this beautiful plant also has a very natural charm, making it easy to associate with many other flowers in the garden. Its long summer flowering, composed of multiple umbels of pale yellowish-green flowers, remains decorative even when the seeds are forming. Hardy and easy to grow in a good, moist garden soil, it brings verticality and lightness to flower and shrub beds, in partial shade or in full sun.

Patrinia monandra is widespread in many Chinese provinces, Taiwan, and the Indian region of Bhutan, where it can be found on grassy slopes, in thickets, deciduous forests, forest edges, and along roadsides, up to 3,100m (10000ft) altitude. It belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family and not Valerianaceae. It is a herbaceous plant with a perennial rootstock, short-lived, with both horizontal, oblique, and vertical taproots. Its vegetation emerges in spring, forming a bushy and compact tuft of leafy stems that reach an average height of 40cm (16in) with a diameter of 30cm (12in). The stems lignify at the base and bear leaves often divided into 2 or 3 pairs of segments, with a slightly swollen and toothed lamina. Flowering occurs from July to September. From the foliage emerge highly branched flower stems reaching 1.20m (4ft) in height, coloured brick-red. At the end of each branching, there is an inflorescence in corymbs measuring up to 25cm (10in) in diameter. It consists of tiny pale yellow-green flowers, very nectar-rich and honey-producing. The above-ground vegetation is deciduous and dries up in winter. This Patrinia monandra can self-seed, but young plants considered unwanted can be easily removed.

Patrinia monandra is planted in English-style or naturalistic, country or romantic flower beds, in garden soils that are rich and slightly moist in summer. It accompanies many other light perennials such as Buenos Aires Verbena, mulleins, Sanguisorba, Agastache, thistles, and of course, grasses (Panicum, Stipa, Eragrostis, small Miscanthus...). It also lightens the flowering of white, yellow, or orange perpetual roses. Its flowers, fresh or dried, can also be used in floral arrangements.