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Centranthus ruber (Red valerian)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Centranthus ruber
Other names
Red valerian, Spanish valerian, Spur valerian, Jupiter's beard, Kiss-me-quick, Pretty betsy, Fox's brush, German lilac
Genus
Centranthus Centranthus
Species
C. ruber - C. ruber has grey-green leaves and clusters of red, pink or white, slightly fragrant flowers.
Centranthus ruber is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Flower
Pink, White, Red in Spring; White, Red, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Cut stems in autumn or if self-seeding becomes a problem then cut back hard in July after the first flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Centranthus ruber (Red valerian) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in a well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil (ideally a chalky or stony soil). Needs full sun to flower well.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Centranthus ruber
Other names
Red valerian, Spanish valerian, Spur valerian, Jupiter's beard, Kiss-me-quick, Pretty betsy, Fox's brush, German lilac
Genus
Centranthus Centranthus
Species
C. ruber - C. ruber has grey-green leaves and clusters of red, pink or white, slightly fragrant flowers.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Pink, White, Red in Spring; White, Red, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Cut stems in autumn or if self-seeding becomes a problem then cut back hard in July after the first flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Centranthus ruber (Red valerian) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in a well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil (ideally a chalky or stony soil). Needs full sun to flower well.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Centranthus ruber
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