Centranthus is an attractive, dependable & easily grown cottage garden plant. Very long flowering and easy to grow from seed, and given a spring sowing will flower the first year. The plants form a glossy, bushy mound, with succulent-like, mid-green leaves that and contrast perfectly with the vibrant flowers. The flowers combine well with many different plants and are lovely when used as a cut flower.
Centranthus look best grown en-masse on banks, or when allowed to self-seed between the cracks in walls and paving. They will grow in poor, but well-drained soil and in shallow soil where virtually nothing else will grow.
They are ideal for a wildflower garden, attracting bees and butterflies and other pollinating insects into the garden. Dead-heading encourages rebloom and in warmer areas it can be encouraged to keep blooming until November.
For best results sow seeds in to a good soil based compost. Cover seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs.
Cultivation:
Centranthus needs regular watering in well-draining soil its first year, after which it's highly drought-tolerant, hence suitable for a low-maintenance sunny garden.
Centranthus self-seeds reliably but self sown seedlings are easily removed and can be either discarded or moved to a preferred spot in the garden. Deadhead regularly throughout the summer to prolong flowering. In autumn cut the plant back down to the ground and compost the dead stems.
Centranthus needs regular watering in well-draining soil its first year, after which it's highly drought-tolerant, hence suitable for a low-maintenance sunny garden.
Centranthus self-seeds reliably but self sown seedlings are easily removed and can be either discarded or moved to a preferred spot in the garden. Deadhead regularly throughout the summer to prolong flowering. In autumn cut the plant back down to the ground and compost the dead stems.
Garden uses:
Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Low Maintenance Garden, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden.
Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Low Maintenance Garden, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden.
Origin:
A native of the Mediterranean region, Centranthus ruber has been introduced into many other parts of the world as a garden escape. It is often seen by roadsides or in urban wasteland. It can tolerate very alkaline soil conditions, and will grow freely in old walls despite the lime in their mortar.
In fact it was the first plant that grew on the wasteland in London after the Blitz.
So I call it a plant of hope and optimism.
It is an edible plant with the leaves being used in a salad or lightly boiled with other greens.
A native of the Mediterranean region, Centranthus ruber has been introduced into many other parts of the world as a garden escape. It is often seen by roadsides or in urban wasteland. It can tolerate very alkaline soil conditions, and will grow freely in old walls despite the lime in their mortar.
In fact it was the first plant that grew on the wasteland in London after the Blitz.
So I call it a plant of hope and optimism.
It is an edible plant with the leaves being used in a salad or lightly boiled with other greens.
The genus name Centranthus derives from two Greek words kentron meaning 'a spur,' and anthos, meaning 'flower, and referring to the flower having a spur-like base. One of the common names of this species is Spur Valerian.
The species name ruber means 'red' referring to the colour of the species, as does coccineus.
Pronounced sen-TRAN-thus ROO-ber
Common names include: Keys of Heaven, Jupiter's Beard. Pretty Betsy, Sweet Betsy, Red Valerian, Delicate Bess, Sweet Mary or Sweet Setywall.
The species name ruber means 'red' referring to the colour of the species, as does coccineus.
Pronounced sen-TRAN-thus ROO-ber
Common names include: Keys of Heaven, Jupiter's Beard. Pretty Betsy, Sweet Betsy, Red Valerian, Delicate Bess, Sweet Mary or Sweet Setywall.
I have three colours available. & also a mix of all three.
~White, Rose Pink & Cerise Red.
White/Alba
Rose Pink
Centranthus Rubra Cocchinea, Red
Mixed- (pale pink below)
Centranthus calcitrapae is a pale pink annual form, smaller growing & very pretty.
