Red Valerian
Centranthus ruber
Native to Europe's Mediterranean region, this species is multi-stemmed with dense flower clusters that attract butterflies surrounded by thick blue-green foliage.
This showy perennial, also known as Jupiter's Beard and Keys of Heaven, is native to the Mediterranean regions of Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Turkey. Red Valerian, not to be confused with True Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), was used in ancient times in primitive embalming efforts. It forms a many-branched, woody-based plant with fleshy, blue-green foliage and dense clusters of flowers that re-seed readily. Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon listed this perennial as "Valeriana rubra--Red Garden Valerian" in his American Gardener's Calendar, 1806.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
