Also known as Red Valerian · 104 gardener saves
Centranthus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Centranthus, the genus most gardeners know as red valerian. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Centranthus varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWhite Valerian
Centranthus ruber 'Alba'
#2 most savedRed Valerian, Jupiter's Beard
Centranthus ruber
#3 most savedRed Valerian Pretty Betsy
Centranthus ruber 'Pretty Betsy'
How to grow Centranthus
What the Centranthus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Centranthus year
- DeadheadMay–August100% of varieties
Remove spent flowers regularly to prevent aggressive self-seeding and prolong bloom
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March100% of varieties
Cut back old, woody stems and dead foliage before new growth starts
- DivideMarch and September67% of varieties
Divide large, sparse clumps every 3-5 years in early spring or fall
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 💧
- Prune lightly after flowering ✂️
- Use organic compost to enrich soil 🌱
- Mulch around base to retain moisture
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize in late fall or winter
- Refrain from heavy pruning in late summer
- Never plant in poorly drained soil
What goes wrong with Centranthus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at soil line | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
Making more Centranthus
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring; germination takes 2-3 weeks.
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain humidity for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Centranthus questions
How many types of Centranthus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Centranthus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 104 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Centranthus grow in?
Across its varieties, Centranthus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Centranthus bloom?
Most Centranthus varieties bloom in early summer, late spring to summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Centranthus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Centranthus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Centranthus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
