Centranthus ruber — commonly called red valerian — is an upright perennial with white, pink, or red flowers. It is sometimes seen along roadsides but is a good fit for cottage gardens.
Centranthus forms bushy clumps with upright stems to 3 feet tall. Small, dusty crimson or rose-pink flowers appear in dense terminal clusters. Blooms are long-lasting.
Centranthus readily self sows; in some regions, it is considered a weed. Centranthus easily grows in poor dry soils and needs little care. The bloom time can be extended by cutting off old flowering stems.