Jupiter's Beard Seeds - Red
Flower Specifications
Season: Perennial
USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Height: 24 - 32 inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Bloom Color: Red
Environment: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
Deer Resistant: Yes
Latin Name: Centranthus Ruber Coccineus
Planting Directions
Temperature: 65F
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
Sowing Rate: 1000 seeds covers 75 square feet
Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 12 - 15 inches
Care & Maintenance: Jupiter's Beard
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 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.
Vibrant Cut Flower
Jupiter's Beard blooms grow atop tall, thick stems, making them ideal for use as cut flowers. These clusters of tiny red flowers are particularly beautiful.
Beautiful Show Flower
How To Grow
If starting indoors, sow Jupiter's Beard seeds into starter trays 6-8 weeks before the end of the frost season. Grow in a sterile starter mix, and keep moist until germination. Transplant seedlings outdoors once frost season is over. You can also sow these seeds directly outdoors in the spring when temperatures have warmed. Sow into prepared seedbeds with a spacing of 12-15 inches between each plant. If the plant stops blooming due to the heat, cut it back by 1/3 to 1/2 to promote another round of blooms later in the summer.
- Environment: full sun to light shade
- Soil: well-drained with pH 6.1-7.8
- Germ time: 14-21 days
Plant Information
Jupiter's Beard is a long-lived perennial that grows in USDA zones 4 through 9. It attracts pollinators in general, but. is especially useful for bringing butterflies to the garden. This is a drought tolerant plant once established, and is easy to grow from seed.
- Bloom color: red
- Bloom season: summer
- Height: 24-32 inches