Kentranthus ruber
Red Valerian
also known as Centhranthus ruber
This plant attracts the following butterflies:
Comma, Green-veined White, Large White, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White
Memorable images of 2003:
Small Tortoiseshell.
August 22.
Small White. August 21.
Past images:
Large White. 19 May 2002.
notes:
Now Kentranthus ruber or Red Valerian, is one perennial that grows quickly from seed into a flowering plant. Alternatively, you can find the plants in garden centres.
After flowering, cut the stems down or, as I discovered when I left this too late in the Autumn of 2001, there will be Kentranthus ruber plantlets everywhere - even growing between my paving slabs.
Not only does it attract several species of butterfly but it's liked by some moths. The day-flying Silver Y moths are fond of this plant and can be found feeding on the flowers in the evenings. There were large numbers of them in 2000. I've also recorded a Hummingbird Hawkmoth on my Red Valerian on Wednesday 11 June 2003.
It has an ability to grow in the most inhospitable spots - like on the high-up windowsill of ruined Raglan Castle - just like Buddleias grow anywhere they can.
Reference Section
Plant Type: perennial
Flowers in spring and again in autumn
Height: 60cm-1m
Spread: 45-60cm
Thrives in exposed positions and in poor, slightly alkaline soils