Centranthus ruber

Also known as Jupiter’s Beard, this is an old-fashioned cut flower being seen once again in sunny perennial borders. Plants form an upright, bushy mound of light green leaves, bearing rounded heads of fragrant, rosy-red flowers over many weeks. Excellent for cutting. Removing faded flowers will encourage plants to form buds all summer long. Good choice for hot, dry sites, this will even thrive in rock walls or between paving stones. A short-lived perennial, but usually self-seeds where happy. If grown in rich soil, Red Valerian may need to be staked. Attractive to butterflies.