Red Valerian

Through spring into early summer, this showy native perennial displays dense clusters of small purple red to crimson or rarely white blooms along the upper stems. Much-branched and woody at the base, the plant grows 12 to 28 in (30 to 70 cm) tall. Red Valerian can be cultivated in the landscape, but it should be controlled to prevent spread into areas where it is not wanted. Grows on sunny roadsides, embankments and borders of fields and sometimes from old stone walls.

Scientific name: Centranthus ruber

Italian common name: Camarezza comune

English common name: Red Valerian