Description
Centranthus ruber ‘Pretty Betsy’ (Valerian) is a hardy perennial, upright growing wildflower with striking and very long-lasting, dense clusters of coral-red flowers and healthy, glaucous foliage. Here in Cornwall it grows wild at the base of hedgerows and on top of old stone walls, and when in full flower is usually found thrumming with pollinators of all sorts. It is frequently used as a cut flower and adds a touch of informality and wildness in garden settings. This cultivar has flowers that have more pink in the flower colour than the species plant, giving the flowers an overall coral-red colouration that, in our opinion, makes the plant slightly softer.
These established, garden-ready plants have been grown from seed at our nursery in Cornwall and are supplied in 2 litre containers. They will flower from June through to October, if dead-headed, and will grow to an ultimate height of around 75cm (30 inches) with a spread of 40-50cm (15-20 inches).
Growing Advice
Centranthus ruber is a very easy and forgiving plant to grow. It loves full sun, but ideally prefers poorer, limey soils rather than rich soils. Just make sure the soil is reasonably well-drained – there is a reason valerians pop up in crevasses in walls!
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