Product Description
Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus'
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.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
