Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
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
White, Red, Pink in Spring; Red, Pink, White 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
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
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
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Red, Pink in Spring; Red, Pink, White 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
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
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... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By London garden designer Claudia de Yong. Claudia was asked by this client to design and plant a newly converted farm courtyard area which had already had the hard landscaping put down. read more
By garden designer Sarah Price. The design for ‘The M&G Garden’ 2018 is a romanticised haven which expands on an idea that a wall, tree and seat can create a quiet and intimate… read more
By Kent-based garden designer Laura Anstiss. The garden gives an insight into the emotions felt by a child diagnosed with cancer, taking their own steps on the challenging journey through treatment. read more
By Chichester based garden designer David Loy of Your Garden Design. The garden design is modern and contemporary, consistent with the style of the house and utilising materials sympathetic to both… read more
By garden designer Tracy Foster. Children from Flamborough Primary school have been helping Welcome to Yorkshire start work on their most ambitious Chelsea show garden yet. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Centranthus ruber
There are 13 active discussions about Centranthus ruber (Red valerian)
View all discussions