{"title":"Centranthus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCentranthus\u003c\/em\u003e is a genus of southern European ornamental plants more commonly known as \u003cstrong\u003evalerian\u003c\/strong\u003e. Some species of centranthus have spread around the world (with human help) and are familiar as cute, flowering, meadow plants with clusters of small flowers at the tips of the deer-resistant branches (that attract butterflies and hummingbirds). One species in particular, \u003cem\u003eCentranthus ruber\u003c\/em\u003e (Red Valerian), is widely grown.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eUsing Valerian in the Garden\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCentranthus is related to other common garden plants such as patrinia, lonicera, and to a lesser extent, scabiosa. Like these plants, centranthus produces clusters of colorful flowers in spring, continuing sporadically until frost. These flowers are sometimes marvelously fragrant and often bloom in shades of carmine redhence the common name red valerian. They also make great cut flowers. The plants grow as sub-shrub: slow mounding, somewhat woody. Valerian looks great planted singly as a specimen, or in clusters. Its informal habit blends well into meadows, cottage gardens, naturalized areas, against walls and on slopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing and Caring for Centranthus\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCentranthus is a resourceful little plant that can spread via wind-blown seed onto disturbed soils and is often found colonizing road sides. As you might expect, centranthus prefers sun and is fairly tolerant of lean soils and drought. In places with a Mediterranean climate (hot, dry summers) like the western US, centranthus can be weedy and invasive but here in the Southeast where it is humid, and in the North where it is cool the plants spread more slowly. Overall, Valerian is a great plant for the low-maintenance garden as it needs only to be cut back once per year in early spring to promote bushiness. Try paring valerian with asclepias, echinacea, rudbeckia, coreopsis, or \u003ca title=\"Buddleia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/blogs\/articles\/butterfly-bush-buddleia-davidii-plant-buddleja\"\u003ebuddleia\u003c\/a\u003e to maximize the butterfly effect.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"centranthus-ruber-coccineus","title":"Centranthus ruber Coccineus","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe have long valued the Mediterranean Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus' as a great garden perennial. Jupiter's beard emerges in spring with glaucous green foliage adorning the base of the 3' tall flowering spikes that end with terminal clusters of tiny, reddish-pink, fragrant flowers. Peak flowering for us is May (NC), but Centranthus ruber continues producing flower spikes through the remainder of the summer and is a magnet for butterflies. As with all Mediterranean plants, good drainage is key to success, along with soils that tend toward a neutral pH. Jupiter's beard seems to enjoy being divided every few years to stay vigorous. Centranthus ruber also makes a great cut flower, so plant plenty to have enough for arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21028635141,"sku":"8611","price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Centranthus-ruber-Coccineus.i-8611.s-68570.r-1_b5b1a438-e2dd-47fc-98dc-e2fb335592d9.jpg?v=1790594836"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Centranthus-ruber-Coccineus-1900x350.jpg?v=1682519358","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/centranthus.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}