Jupiter's Beard (Centranthus Ruber Coccineus Red) - Attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your garden by growing Jupiter's Beard seeds. The vibrant red Jupiter's Beard is a wonderful source of color for the perennial xeriscape garden. It grows 24 - 32 inches tall, so it's perfect for the middle of the garden, and the bright red blooms appear all summer long above spear shaped, gray-green foliage. It makes a great cut flower. Centranthus Ruber Coccineus seeds are also known as Keys of Heaven and Red Valerian seeds.

Centranthus Red Valerian from flower seed is very rewarding and easy. Approximately 1000 seeds covers 75 square feet. It should be spaced about 12 to 15 inches apart in the sunny garden (light shade is fine as well). The Keys to Heaven plant is very long-lived, and it asks for only ordinary garden soil with good drainage. After it's established, it is considered to be fairly drought tolerant. Deadheading will keep the plant flowering fuller and later into the season. If the plant stops blooming due to heat, cut the plant back by 1/3 - 1/2 to promote another round of blooms later in the summer.

Sow Jupiter's Beard seed indoors in starter trays 6 - 8 weeks before the end of frost season. Keep flower seeds continuously moist until germination. Transplant seedling outdoors when frost danger has passed. Or, directly sow Jupiter's Beard seeds outdoors into prepared soil in spring when temperatures are consistently warm. The Red Valerian plant is a liberal self-sower. Deadhead spent blooms if you do not want the flower seed to spread.

Jupiter's Beard (Centranthus Ruber Albus) - Grown from Jupiter's Beard seeds, this stunning white version is another popular heirloom flower. Grow the two colors together for eye-popping color for the middle of the perennial xeriscape garden. White Jupiter's Beard produces white, fragrant flowers in clusters 2 - 3 inches across. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It also makes a nice cut flower, and the white variety especially lends itself nicely to arrangements. This drought tolerant perennial is also known as White Valerian.

Growing white Jupiter's Beard from flower seed is very rewarding and easy. Approximately 1000 seeds covers 75 square feet. It should be spaced about 12 to 15 inches apart in the sunny garden (light shade is fine as well). The White Valerian plant is very long-lived, and it asks for only ordinary garden soil with good drainage. After it's established, it is considered to be fairly drought tolerant. Deadheading will keep the plant flowering fuller and later into the season. If the plant stops blooming due to heat, cut the plant back by 1/3 - 1/2 to promote another round of blooms later in the summer.

Sow Jupiter's Beard seed indoors in starter trays 6 - 8 weeks before the end of frost season. Keep flower seeds continuously moist until germination. Transplant seedling outdoors when frost danger has passed. Or, directly sow Jupiter's Beard seeds outdoors into prepared soil in spring when temperatures are consistently warm. The White Valerian plant is a liberal self-sower. Deadhead spent blooms if you do not want the flower seed to spread.