Changes

| high = 16-28in

| high = 16-28in

| wide =    <!--- 20in (65cm) -->

| wide =    <!--- 20in (65cm) -->

| origin =     <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->

| origin = [[Mediterranean]]

| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->

| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->

| lifespan =     <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->

| lifespan = perennial

| exposure =    <!--- sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->

| exposure =    <!--- sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->

| water =     <!--- frequent, regular, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->

| water = drought tolerant

| features = flowers, hardy, naturalizes, pH

| features = flowers, hardy, naturalizes, pH

| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 40F (5C), etc -->

| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 40F (5C), etc -->

| bloom =     <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for it's flowers -->

| bloom = spring to early fall

| usda_zones =     <!--- eg. 8-11 -->

| usda_zones = 5a-10

| sunset_zones =    <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->

| sunset_zones =    <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->

| color = IndianRed

| color = IndianRed

| species = ruber

| species = ruber

}}

}}

'''Red valerian''' is a popular [[gardening|garden]] flower, sometimes called just Valerian, which another species is better known as.  

'''Red valerian''' is a popular [[gardening|garden]] flower, sometimes called just Valerian, which is a mistake as that is a completely different species (and genus?).  

A native of the [[Mediterranean]] region, ''Centranthus ruber'' has been introduced into many other parts of the world as a garden escapee. It is naturalised in both [[Great Britain]] and the [[United States]]. In the US it can be found growing wild in such western states, usually in disturbed, rocky places at elevations below 200 m. It is often seen by roadsides or in urban wasteland. It can tolerate very [[alkali]]ne soil conditions, and will grow freely in old walls despite the lime in their mortar.

A popular garden plant which can take very poor conditions, which has made it successful in naturalizing in large sections of the world, including [[Great Britain]] and the [[United States]], especially the west, and especially in disturbed, rocky places at elevations below 200m or by the roadside or in urban wasteland. It tolerate highly [[alkali]]ne soil, even growing freely in old walls despite the lime in their mortar.

It grows as a [[perennial plant]], usually as a [[subshrub]] though it can take any form from a [[herb]] to a [[shrub]] depending on conditions; the plants are usually woody at the base. The leaves are generally 5-8 cm in length.  Their shape changes from the bottom to the top of the plant, the lower leaves being petioled while the upper leaves are sessile. The plant flowers profusely, and though the individual flowers are small (no more than 2 cm), the inflorescences are large and showy.  The flowers have a strong and somewhat rank scent: they are pollinated by both [[bee]]s and [[butterfly|butterflies]] and the plant is noted for attracting insects. The flowers are usually a purplish red, but sometimes lavender or white in colour. 

It usually grows as a [[subshrub]] though it can take any form from a [[herb]] to a [[shrub]] depending on conditions. Plants usually get woody at the base. Leaves are generally 5-8 cm long with a shape that changes from the bottom to the top of the plant, the lower leaves being petioled while the upper leaves are sessile. Red Valerian flowers profusely for a long period, in any shade from the more common purplish reds to white.  The inflorescences are large and showy, with a strong rank scent: they are pollinated by [[bee]]s and [[butterfly|butterflies]], with the plant known for attracting insects.  

 

Both leaves and roots can be eaten, the leaves either fresh in salads or lightly boiled, the roots boiled in soups.  Opinions differ as to whether either make very good eating, however.  Although it is sometimes reported to have medicinal properties, there is no basis for this view, which is almost certainly due to confusion with true [[Valerian]].

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

| notes =

| notes =

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}}  

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

Tip cuttings, seed sown in spring.

Tip cuttings, seed sown in spring.  Self sows.

===Pests and diseases===

===Pests and diseases===