Among the many long time used perennials for cottage and butterfly gardens Centranthus, or Jupiter's Beard, is not used as often as it once was.  This oversight is a shame for this plant is free-blooming and extremely easy to grow.  While many gardeners fuss over more finicky plants like Phlox, Delphiniums and Hollyhocks, Centranthus quietly flourishes without care from the gardener.  Rich carmine-red flower heads emerge in early June and continue through most of August. Flowers a are marvelously fragrant luring in crowds of butterflies. The vivid flower heads are held above grey-green upright, bushy masses of foliage.
Plants are not fussy about soil and are considered to drought tolerant once established. Grows at its best in full sun but will do just fine in partial shade. Centranthus reseeds itself so you may find it popping up in other parts of the garden.  Jupiter's Beard is a very long lived and a very good selection for new perennial gardeners. 

More Photos of Centranthus or Jupiter's Beard:

Centranthus
(ken-tran' thus)

    Culture Guide
Zones: 4-9
Blooms: Jun - Aug
Height: 3  feet
Light: full sun
Soil: average / slightly dry
Spacing: 18" - 24"
Size Shipped: pot grown and bareroot
Propagation: seed
Problems: None known

> See more sun loving perennials