Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)
Red Valerian, Spanish Valerian, Spur Valerian, Jupiter's Beard, Kiss-me-quick, Pretty Betsy, Fox's Brush, German Lilac
Bushy, well-branched, with one of the longest blooming seasons, Red Valerian (Centranthus Ruber) is a popular perennial grown for its ornamental and showy star-shaped flowers. Fragrant, this border beauty is also easy to grow, fairly pest and disease free and attracts butterflies. What else to ask for?
- A prolific bloomer from early summer to fall, it produces abundant, rounded clusters of crimson (Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus'), pink (Centranthus ruber 'Roseus') or white flowers (Centranthus ruber 'Albus'), rising atop a blue-green, lance-shaped foliage.
- Clump-forming and woody-based, Red Valerian grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and spreads 18-24 in. (45-60 cm).
- Performs best in full sun (light shade tolerated), in average or sandy, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Thrives in poor soils. Doesn't appreciate hot and humid summers. Drought tolerant!
- Attracts birds and butterflies, but is ignored by deer.
- A perfect border plant, it is a spectacular addition to beds, borders, cottage gardens, coastal gardens or naturalized areas. Excellent for planting in stone walls.
- Spent flower stems should be removed to encourage further blooms and prevent seeds from forming. Freely self-seeds in satisfactory growing conditions to the point of becoming weedy.
Buy Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden |
123RF Stock Photo, Lyudmyla Uleyskaya, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden |