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Red Valerian Centranthus ruber 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts MothsMoths are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Tubular FlowersTubular flowers
Red FlowersRed flowers
5 Petals5 petals
Apr-Oct Flowering
period
Delta-Shaped LeavesDelta-shaped leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Tap RootTap root
100cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Red Valerian
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Red Valerian is a non-native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in coastal rocky areas, rocky waste ground and walls, to a mature height of up to 100cm.

Red Valerian, a plant native to the Mediterranean, was introduced into the UK by the sixteenth century. Despite its name, Red Valerian may have raspberry-red, magenta, pink or white flowers (on different plants). Its flowers are packed densely into dome-shaped flowering heads with their tiny petals exposed outwards and their long, spurred flower tubes pointing inwards, hidden from view. Red Valerian has delta-shaped leaves borne in opposing pairs up the stem. These are stalked towards the base of the plant but clasp the stem nearer the top.

Botanic classification and naming: Red Valerian is a member of the Valerian (Valerianaceae) family. The genus name 'Centranthus' identifies the plant as a Valerian and its species name 'ruber' means 'red'.

Benefits: The Hummingbird Hawk Moth and Small Elephant Hawk Moth feed on nectar from the flowers of Red Valerian.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Red Valerian

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Red Valerian usually flowers between April and October.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Red

Red

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Tubular

Tubular

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Red Valerian

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Delta

Delta

Or:

Alternative Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Red Valerian

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap