Scientific Name:
Centranthus ruber
Pronunciation:
sen-TRAN-thus ROO-bur
Common Name:
red valerian, Jupiter's beard
Family Name:
Caprifoliaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves opposite, sessile, ovate-lanceolate, most 6-10cm long x 2-3cm wide, gray-green; florets 14-18mm wide, in panicle-like clusters above foliage; achenes 3-4mm long with long feathery pappus.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Pyramidal - narrowly
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa, Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract butterflies, Cut flower or foliage, Perennial border, Summer interest
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite, Sessile
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Silver / Grayish
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Elliptic
Apices:
Acuminate, Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Thyrse, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
White
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Achene
Fruit Colour:
Silver
Fruiting Time:
Oct, Nov
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Brown
Propagation:
Seed
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
