Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) | Drought-Tolerant Perennial

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Red Valerian

Centranthus ruber

A long-blooming, drought-tolerant perennial with profuse clusters of fragrant, starry pinkish-red flowers, thriving in poor, rocky soils.

$16.90

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Description

Centranthus ruber is a beloved, long-blooming perennial prized for its profuse clusters of starry, pinkish-red flowers, exceptional drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in poor soils. This clump-forming subshrub features upright, slender, glaucous stems with opposite, lance-shaped, fleshy, blue-green leaves. From late spring through summer, it produces abundant, rounded terminal clusters (cymes) of small, star-shaped, fragrant, deep pink to reddish-purple flowers, creating a soft, billowing effect that is highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. With a strong, deep taproot that allows it to thrive in rocky, dry conditions and self-seed gently, it is an outstanding choice for cottage gardens, rock gardens, slopes (for erosion control), coastal plantings, cutting gardens, and naturalized areas. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and difficult to remove due to its deep root system.

Quick Facts

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Light: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in sun)

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Foliage & Flowers: Upright, slender, glaucous stems with opposite, lance-shaped, fleshy, blue-green leaves; abundant, rounded terminal clusters of small, star-shaped, fragrant, deep pink to reddish-purple flowers, blooming from late spring through summer .
Mature Height: 24-36 inches (2-3 ft)
Mature Spread: 24-36 inches (2-3 ft)
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 5-9 ; Sunset 2-9, 12-24, H1
Core Benefits: Long bloom season (spring to summer), profuse fragrant pink-red flowers, exceptionally drought tolerant, thrives in poor/alkaline/rocky soils, self-seeds gently, great for cut flowers, deer resistant.
Best Uses: Cottage gardens, rock gardens, slopes (erosion control), coastal gardens, cutting gardens, naturalized areas, xeriscape gardens, pollinator gardens, stone walls.

Faqs

Q: How long does Red Valerian bloom?
A: It has a very long bloom season, typically from late spring through summer, providing months of soft, airy, fragrant flowers.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, it is exceptionally drought tolerant once established, with a strong, deep taproot that can find moisture in rocky, dry soils. It thrives in poor, well-drained conditions.

Q: How large does it get?
A: It forms an upright, clumping mound, typically reaching 2-3 feet in both height and spread.

Q: Does it self-seed aggressively?
A: It self-seeds gently and can naturalize in the garden, but it is not considered aggressively invasive in most regions. Deadheading spent flowers will prevent unwanted self-seeding. Once established, the deep taproot makes it difficult to remove completely.

Q: Is it a good choice for cut flowers?
A: Yes, the long, sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers for fresh arrangements.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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