Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)

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 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.