This plant, which growing profusely in my street, is Red Valerian, Valeriana Rubra (or Centranthus ruber). Originally from the Mediterranean, it has been introduced into many other parts of the globe and become widely naturalised.
The genus Valeriana was named by Linnaeus, after the Roman Emperor Valerian. Valerian means "Worthy or "Strong" and descends from the same root as "Value", "Valid", Valour" etc. Linnaeus chose this name because another Valerian species, Valeriana officinalis has been used since the time of Hippocrates as a herbal remedy with a range of uses, so I suppose he felt it deserved the description of "Worthy".
Two interesting facts about V. officinalis.
- It's attractive to cats, like catnip.
2. An old Swedish country superstition was that (it is so fascinating I shall quote it in full)
'… a bridegroom stands in dread of the envy of the Elves, to counteract which it has long been a custom to lay in the clothes on the wedding day certain strong-smelling plants, as garlic or valerian. Near gates and in crossways there is supposed to be the greatest danger. If any one asks a bridegroom the reason of these precautions, he will answer : " On account of envy." And there is no one so miserable whose bride will not think herself envied on her wedding day, if by no others, at least by the Elves.'
The elves would spirit the groom away
' The bride sits ready in her bridal bower, in anxious ex pectation and surrounded by her bridesmaids. The bride groom saddles his grey steed, and clad in knightly attire, with his hawk perched proudly on his shoulder, he rides forth from his mother s hall, to fetch home his bride. But in the wood where he is wont to hunt with hawk and hound, an elfin maiden has noticed the comely youth, and is now on the watch for an opportunity, though for ever so short a time, to clasp him to her breast in the flowery grove; or, at least, to the sweet tones of their stringed instruments, lightly to float along with him, hand in hand, on the verdant field. As he draws near to the elf-mount, or is about to ride through the gateway of the castle, his ears are ravished with most wondrous music, and from among the fairest maidens that he there sees dancing in a ring, the Elf-king s daughter herself steps forth fairer than them all, as it is said in the lay :
The damsel held forth her snow-white hand : " Come join in the merry dance with me."
If the knight allows himself to be charmed, and touches the fascinating hand, he is conducted to Elfland, where in halls indescribably beautiful, and gardens such as he had never beheld, he wanders about, on his Elf-bride s arm, amid lilies and roses. If at length the remembrance of his mourning betrothed enters his mind, and the Elves, who do not deliberately desire evil to mankind, are moved'
From
Northern mythology : comprising the principal popular traditions and superstitions of Scandinavia, North Germany, and The Netherlands, volume 2
SCANDINAVIAN POPULAR TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS (1851), VOL: 2, OF ELVES, p. 62 https://www.artandpopularculture.com/Northern_mythology_:_comprising_the_principal_popular_traditions_and_superstitions_of_Scandinavia,_North_Germany,_and_The_Netherlands,_volume_2