Red valerian
Centranthus ruber
- Layer 4 · Herbaceous
- Attracts pollinators
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Perennial plant with red or pinkish flowers, frequent on walls, slopes and dry calcareous soils. The prolonged flowering attracts bees, butterflies and hawk-moths. In the food forest it occupies the herbaceous layer, colonises poor and stony soils and supports pollinators for much of the year.
It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.
See which trees red valerian grows well with
These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Herbaceous perennial up to 0.8 m
- Mature diameter: 0.5 m
- Soils: Sandy, Loam, Limestone
- Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean, Atlantic coast
Calendar
- January
- February
- March — Harvest — Planting
- April — Harvest — Planting
- May — Harvest
- June — Harvest
- July — Harvest
- August — Harvest
- September — Harvest — Planting
- October — Harvest — Planting
- November
- December
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: Young leaves can be consumed raw or cooked, roots used in soups, and the plant in infusions for its mildly soothing properties.
Where to buy
Central trees worth considering
May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.
May grow well with
Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.
Portuguese oakQuercus fagineasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
European nettle treeCeltis australissame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Maritime pinePinus pinastersame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Stone pinePinus pineasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Mediterranean cypressCupressus sempervirenssame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Holm oakQuercus rotundifoliasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.
See which trees red valerian grows well with
These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.
No account needed.
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