Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus' (25) plants
Common Name: Red Valerian, Jupiter's Beard.
Zones 4 to 8.
Full Sun.
Plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide;
bushy, clump-forming, woody-based perennial.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Centranthus is an exceptionally long-blooming perennial, with fragrant, tiny carmine-rose florets that cluster to form dense, showy heads above the gray-green, upright, bushy foliage. Plants bloom from early to late summer in most regions, except in cooler regions where the bloom period may be extended to early fall.
Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus' grows in average to sandy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It does prefer slightly alkaline soils in full sun. Tolerant of dry, poor, infertile soils, where it usually grows in a more compact form.
Freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions to the point of being somewhat invasive and weedy. Promptly remove (shear if large planting) spent flower stems to encourage additional bloom and to prevent seeds from forming. Plants are sometimes short-lived and generally less vigorous in the hot and humid summers of southern zones, though it will reseed.
A foolproof perennial, this is a good choice for beginners.
Attributes: Border plants, Container, Cut flower or foliage, erosion control, Fragrant flowers, groundcover, mass planting. Centranthus is rarely bothered by insects and makes a long-lasting cut flower. Attracts butterflies. Deer resistant. |
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