High Country Gardens
White Valerian (Centranthus ruber 'Albus')
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking drought-tolerant, deer-resistant summer color.
The White Valerian, Centranthus ruber 'Albus', is a hardy, drought-tolerant wildflower offering a continuous display of white flower clusters from late spring through summer. This European native thrives with minimal care, preferring lean, well-drained soil and disliking overly rich conditions or excessive watering. It naturalizes well, attracting butterflies and resisting deer and rabbits. Deadheading after the initial bloom encourages re-flowering, making it a low-maintenance, long-blooming addition to the landscape. It is not recommended for certain coastal areas due to potential aggressive growth.
$9.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-64%
Below average
Life Cycle
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking long-lasting, sophisticated floral displays
- Xeriscaping enthusiasts managing dry or rocky soil conditions
- Conservationists looking to support local pollinator populations
Who should skip it
- Low-maintenance gardeners wanting to avoid frequent deadheading
- Minimalists who dislike performing seasonal plant grooming
- Gardeners working with heavy clay or water-retentive soil
Performance breakdown
Drought Tolerance
Thrives in xeric conditions with minimal supplemental irrigation required.
Pollinator Appeal
Reliably draws butterflies to the garden throughout the summer months.
Maintenance Effort
Low-input perennial that demands very little beyond occasional deadheading.
Pest Resistance
Strong natural defense against common garden foragers like deer and rabbits.
Bloom Longevity
Provides a consistent, extended display of color from spring through summer.
Soil Adaptability
Prefers lean, sandy soil and struggles in overly rich, damp environments.
Key Specs
Life Cycle
Perennial
Watering Needs
Low
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer
Fragrance Level
Mild Fragrance
Pet Safe
No
Growth Habit
Mounding
Mature Height
36 inches
Features
- Blooms continuously through summer
- Attracts butterflies
- Drought tolerant and low maintenance
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Naturalizes well in landscapes
- Suitable for cut flowers
- Fragrant blooms
- Easy to grow
What customers say
Customers consistently highlight the exceptional quality and reliability of the White Valerian. Reviewers frequently note that the starter plants arrive robust and healthy, establishing quickly even in challenging garden environments. This plant earns high praise for its dependable hardiness, thriving with minimal fuss and providing consistent, long lasting blooms throughout the season. Gardeners appreciate its ability to flourish in dry conditions, confirming its strong value proposition as a low maintenance, high impact perennial.
Know before you buy
This plant thrives in lean, sandy, or well-drained soil. It actually performs poorly in overly rich or heavily amended garden soil, so avoid excessive fertilization.
It is very low-maintenance. To encourage a second flush of flowers, simply deadhead the spent blooms after the initial spring display.
No, this plant is not considered pet-safe. It is best to place it in areas of your garden that are inaccessible to curious cats or dogs.
No, White Valerian is considered resistant to both deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where these animals are a common nuisance.
Yes, the fragrant white clusters make excellent cut flowers. They add a lovely, airy texture to bouquets and provide a mild, pleasant scent.
Because it naturalizes easily, it is not recommended for certain coastal areas where it may become overly aggressive and outcompete native vegetation.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.