Jupiters Beard Seed ( Perennial )
Pretty Betsy (Centranthus ruber) is a graceful, long-blooming perennial prized for its airy clusters of rosy-pink flowers that seem to float above attractive blue-green foliage. Often known as Red Valerian or Jupiter's Beard, this easy-to-grow cottage garden favorite flowers continuously from late spring through autumn, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees, and numerous beneficial pollinators. Its carefree nature and exceptional drought tolerance make it a valuable addition to both formal and naturalistic gardens.
Garden Uses:
Pretty Betsy is an outstanding choice for cottage gardens, perennial borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, Mediterranean landscapes, gravel gardens, retaining walls, and naturalized plantings. It thrives tucked into stone walls where its arching flower stems spill gracefully over the edges. The long-lasting blooms also make attractive additions to fresh-cut flower arrangements.
Growing Information:
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface since light improves germination. Germination generally occurs within 14-21 days at temperatures of 65-70°F. Plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil but tolerate poor, rocky, or sandy soils remarkably well. Once established, Pretty Betsy is highly drought tolerant and requires little supplemental watering. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.
Quick Facts:
| Botanical Name: | Centranthus ruber |
| Common Name: | Pretty Betsy (Red Valerian) |
| Plant Type: | Hardy perennial |
| Height: | 24-36 inches |
| Spread: | 18-30 inches |
| Bloom Color: | Rosy pink |
| Bloom Season: | Late spring through frost |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements: | Well-drained, average to poor soil |
| USDA Zones: | 5-9 |
| Uses: | Cottage gardens, borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, slopes, retaining walls, cut flowers |
Jupiter's Beard (Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus Mix') is a colorful perennial that produces abundant clusters of fragrant flowers in vibrant shades of crimson, rosy red, pink, rose, salmon, and white from late spring until frost. Rising above attractive blue-green foliage on graceful branching stems, this old-fashioned cottage garden favorite is prized for its exceptionally long bloom season, remarkable drought tolerance, and irresistible appeal to butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial pollinators. Its carefree nature makes it one of the easiest and most rewarding flowering perennials for sunny gardens.
Garden Uses:
Jupiter's Beard is perfect for cottage gardens, perennial borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, Mediterranean-style landscapes, gravel gardens, retaining walls, and naturalized plantings. The colorful flower clusters provide excellent cut flowers while adding height and movement to mixed borders. It combines beautifully with lavender, salvia, yarrow, coreopsis, blanket flower, Russian sage, ornamental grasses, and other drought-tolerant perennials.
Growing Information:
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Lightly press seeds onto the soil surface, as light encourages germination. Germination usually occurs within 14-21 days at temperatures of 65-70°F. Plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and tolerate poor, rocky, sandy, or alkaline soils with ease. Once established, Jupiter's Beard requires little supplemental watering and blooms continuously when spent flower clusters are removed.
Quick Facts:
| Botanical Name: | Centranthus ruber 'Coccineus Mix' |
| Common Name: | Jupiter's Beard |
| Plant Type: | Hardy perennial |
| Height: | 24-36 inches |
| Spread: | 18-30 inches |
| Bloom Colors: | Crimson, red, rose, pink, salmon, and white mix |
| Bloom Season: | Late spring through frost |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun |
| Soil Requirements: | Well-drained, average to poor soil |
| USDA Zones: | 5-9 |
| Uses: | Cottage gardens, borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, slopes, retaining walls, cut flowers |
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