Centranthus ruber

RHS Plant Profile
red valerian

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Centranthus ruber?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
red valerian RHS 2002
red valerian visionspictures.com

Other common names

fox, fox's brush, German lilac, pretty Betsy, Spanish valerian, spur valerian, Jupiter's beard, kiss-me-quick

Synonyms

Centranthus ruber 'Pretty Betsy'
Valeriana 'Coccinea'

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial Herbaceous Perennial
Thank you - your purchase supports our charity work Buy this from RHS Plants Shop
Buy online from £8.99Buy this from Plant Nurseries
27 Suppliers

A woody-based perennial, sometimes grown as a biennial, with grey-green leaves and dense clusters of crimson, pink or white, slightly fragrant flowers from late spring to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Centranthus may be annuals or perennials, with usually simple, opposite leaves and terminal clusters of small, trumpet-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Medit.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile, ideally a chalky or stony soil. Good drought resistance; thrives on walls and in coastal gardens. Needs full sun to flower well.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down stems in autumn or if self-seeding is a problem then cut back hard in July after their first flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free