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Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)

Red Valerian, Spanish Valerian, Spur Valerian, Jupiter's Beard, Kiss-me-quick, Pretty Betsy, Fox's Brush, German Lilac

Centranthus Ruber, Red Valerian, Spanish Valerian, Spur Valerian, Jupiter's Beard, Kiss-me-quick, Pretty Betsy, Fox's Brush, German Lilac, red flowers, prink flowers, perennial plant
Centranthus Ruber, Red Valerian, Spanish Valerian, Spur Valerian, Jupiter's Beard, Kiss-me-quick, Pretty Betsy, Fox's Brush, German Lilac, red flowers, prink flowers, perennial plant

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.

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
Plant Family Caprifoliaceae
Common names Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
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Recommended Companion Plants

Geranium ‘Patricia’ (Cranesbill)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ (Sage)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (Sage)
Dianthus ‘Memories’
Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge)
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint)
Achillea ‘Moonshine’ (Yarrow)
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)
Allium nigrum (Ornamental Onion)
Allium cristophii (Star of Persia)
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ (Ornamental Onion)
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Hemerocallis (Daylilies)
Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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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.
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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
Plant Family Caprifoliaceae
Common names Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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