Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) is a beautiful and versatile flowering perennial that makes an excellent addition to many gardens. With its bright red blooms and easy care nature, it’s no wonder gardeners look for places to find red valerian plants for sale. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes red valerian such a great plant and where you can find it available to purchase.
Overview of Red Valerian
Red valerian, also known as Jupiter’s beard, is a perennial flower native to the Mediterranean region. It produces clusters of small, fragrant, red or pink flowers on tall stems from late spring through summer. The flowers attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. After the blooms fade, the seed heads give the plant nice winter interest.
Red valerian grows 24-36 inches tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide. It has green, lance-shaped leaves in a rosette form This plant is drought tolerant once established and attracts beneficial pollinators. It can reseed readily under ideal growing conditions.
Some key characteristics that make red valerian a great addition to the garden include
- Long flowering period from late spring to early fall
- Attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Fragrant flowers
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Works well in borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens
- Tolerates poor, dry soil
- Hardy in zones 4-9
With its long bloom time, pest resistance, and adaptability to various soil conditions, it’s easy to see why red valerian is a popular choice for gardens.
Where to Find Red Valerian Plants for Sale
Red valerian plants are available from a few different sources both online and in-person. Here are some of the best places to find them for sale:
Local Nurseries
Check with local independent nurseries or garden centers in your area. Many carry a selection of perennial flowers and should have red valerian plants in stock, especially in spring and early summer. The benefit of sourcing plants locally is you can see exactly what you’re getting and avoid shipping costs.
Online Nurseries
Online plant nurseries and mail order catalogs offer a wide selection of perennials like red valerian. Reputable online sellers ship healthy, established plants and offer guarantees on their products. Some popular online sources for red valerian plants include:
- High Country Gardens – Offers the Centranthus ruber ‘Coccineus’ variety in 5″ pots.
- Bluestone Perennials – Sells young plants in 72-cell trays.
- Nature Hills Nursery – Carries 1-2 year old potted plants.
- Plant Delights Nursery – Specializes in unique perennials like red valerian.
Ordering plants online provides more variety and convenience, though shipping costs need to be factored in.
Big Box Stores
Major home improvement chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a limited selection of perennial flowers seasonally, including some red valerian varieties. The plants may be smaller than those found at nurseries and availability is hit or miss. But big box stores can be an option for finding red valerian plants in a pinch.
Seed Catalogs
For the most variety, you can order red valerian seeds and start your own plants. Reputable seed companies like Burpee, Park Seed, and Seed Savers Exchange carry heirloom and hybrid red valerian seed varieties. Starting from seed takes more time and care but allows you to end up with many more plants for your garden.
When to Buy Red Valerian Plants
The optimal time to plant red valerian is in spring after the last frost date in your area. You can find plants available both early in the season (March-May) and later into summer. If planting later in summer, be sure to allow 6-8 weeks for the plants to establish before cold weather arrives.
Shop for red valerian plants when they are in their first year of growth after germinating. Young plants transplant more easily than older, woody plants. Look for signs of healthy foliage and good root establishment when purchasing plants.
Caring for Red Valerian Plants
To help your new red valerian plants thrive:
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Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. Amend poor soils with compost.
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Water regularly until plants are established, then reduce to occasional deep watering.
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Cut plants back by half after initial spring bloom to encourage reblooming.
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Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in spring or fall.
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Mulch around plants to help retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
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Fertilize lightly with a balanced organic fertilizer in spring.
With proper care, red valerian plants will provide seasons of bright, fragrant flowers to enjoy! Finding them available for sale is the first step to adding this hardy perennial to your garden.
calm journey into the realm of beautiful red valerian, flower scenery, beautiful flowers
FAQ
Is red valerian easy to grow?
It’s easy to grow valerian and even though it can grow tall and be knocked down by the wind, it’s pretty tolerant of both heavy and light soils. Being so hardy, it happily grows wild and in cultivated plantings but why add it to the garden at all? There are several reasons that I grow it.
Where is the best place to plant red valerian?
Planting red valerian
A moderately dry to fresh, calcareous and well-drained soil with a moderate nutrient content in sunny, warm locations is recommended for red valerian. This plant, which belongs to the honeysuckle family, is very heat tolerant and can survive dry summer periods once it has become well established.
What is the difference between true valerian and red valerian?
While red valerian is a member of the family Valerianaceae, it’s not really a valerian. True valerian is known scientifically today as Valeriana officinalis. Its roots were used medicinally and were thought to have a sedative effect.
Is red valerian plant invasive?
Red valerian is popular for Mediterranean gardens, and seems to be more of a roadside weed than a serious threat to California’s ecosystems. It has not become naturalized in less disturbed habitats.
What does a red valerian flower look like?
Red Valerian ( Centranthus ruber) features showy clusters of tiny salmon-rose flowers that appear along 3″ stems. Pretty and rugged, this Mediterranean native blooms for what seems like forever—from late spring to August here—and its gray-green leaves contrast nicely with deeper greens in the border. Butterflies like it, too.
What is a red valerian?
The red valerian, or Centranthus ruber, is a bushy plant that sends out its branches in thick and strong patterns. It’s very popular in the United States and grown for its stunning, showy flowers. The red valerian is easy to grow and has one of the longest blooming seasons, which means it will bloom alongside your pretty lavender.
Where can I buy valerian root?
If you are looking to own some ASAP or you are not interested in growing any, you can buy valerian root at most local health stores or online (like this). **Valerian is an easy plant to grow in any garden. It is a perennial, except for the fact that you have to harvest your plant in order to use the roots for medicinal purposes.
What is a valerian plant?
The valerian plant features pink or white flowers. It is native to Europe and Asia, but now also grows in North America. There are many forms available of this medicinal herb — including tinctures, pills, and teas. Hippocrates, the Greek doctor who inspired the name of the Hippocratic Oath, used valerian root to treat insomnia.
Is red valerian a wilted plant?
Red valerian is a plant that propagates naturally through its seeds, but it is also possible to perform crown division. Red valerian is definitely an extremely easy plant that requires no care at all. You can cut off wilted flowers when they die off if you wish, but this is only aimed at making it look nicer and won’t influence plant behavior.