Centranthus ruber 'Albus'
Red valerian, Setwall, Jupiter's beard, Drunken sailor, Pretty betsy, Foxes' beard
Also known as Centranthus 'Alba'
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 0.9m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This white variant of the summery red valerian is much lighter in effect. The archetypal cottage garden plant, it looks wonderful, as does its red relatives, on old dry stone walls. It has long penetrating roots and can damage stonework, so don't put it on anything historic or valuable.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.