Red Valerian 'Rosenrot' (Centranthus ruber)

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Despite being called Red Valerian, it's not related to the medicinal herb Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). It's a Mediterranean native and loves the same sunny, dry conditions as plants like lavender.

A fantastic, long-flowering, and tough-as-nails perennial, Centranthus ruber 'Rosenrot', also known as Red Valerian, is a cottage garden classic. It forms a bushy, mound-forming plant with fleshy, grey-green leaves. From late spring well into the summer, it produces dense, rounded clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers. 'Rosenrot' is a particularly lovely cultivar, with flowers of a vibrant, rosy-red or deep cerise-pink, which is a richer and more intense colour than the common pink form. The flowers are slightly fragrant and are an absolute magnet for bees, butterflies, and moths, making it a superb choice for a wildlife garden. It is famously easy to grow, thriving in poor, dry soils and even self-seeding happily into the cracks in walls and paving, where it looks wonderfully romantic.

Botanical name Centranthus ruber 'Rosenrot'
Flower colour Red, Pink
Established height 60-80 cm
Established spread 50-60 cm
Plant spacing 60 cm apart
Leaf colour Grey-green
Habit Bushy, mound-forming
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully hardy
Years to establish 1st year
Sunlight Full sun
Position Exposed or Sheltered
Suitable for Borders, Gravel gardens, Walls, Coastal gardens
Soil acidity Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture Well-drained
Soil type Loam, Sandy, Chalky
RHS Award (AGM) No
Growing skill Easy to grow
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant Yes

Where to Plant:

This variety of Red Valerian is happiest in a position that receives full sun for the entire day. It thrives in poor, well-drained, alkaline soils and is famously tolerant of drought, making it perfect for gravel gardens, dry slopes, or coastal areas. Plant it at the top of walls where it can cascade down, or in crevices for a natural, self-sown look. It is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance cottage garden border, where its clusters of rosy-red flowers will attract a constant buzz of pollinators.

How to Plant:

Plant container-grown plants in spring or summer. Dig a planting hole that is the same depth as the pot and roughly twice the width. Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole, ensuring the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole, firm the soil gently around the base of the plant, and water it in thoroughly to help settle the roots. Space individual plants about 30-40cm apart.

Aftercare:

Once established, this plant is incredibly self-sufficient and will not require watering or feeding. To encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season and to prevent excessive self-seeding, cut the whole plant back hard with shears or secateurs after the first wave of blooms has faded. This 'Chelsea chop' will promote fresh growth and a new round of flowers, keeping the plant looking much tidier.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

Drought tolerant

Good for cutting

Centranthus ruber 'Rosenrot' - Harding & Bloom

Red Valerian 'Rosenrot' (Centranthus ruber)

ÂŁ6.89

ÂŁ6.89

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Kind Words from Our Gardeners

Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!

Careane Wallace

Oxfordshire, UK

The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again

David P

Kent, UK

I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!

Eleanor R

Somerset