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  BensBotanics June 23, 2013 at 10:08am

  That's red Valerian. Self seeds but some people do like it, although in time it will colonise large areas. Particularly likes disturbed soils, but will also grow in walls etc. You can control it's spread by deadheading to prevent seed, and digging out unwanted plants before they get their feet in.
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  Dave Lockney June 23, 2013 at 10:21am

  Excellent! Thanks for the info - what a great resource this site is. I think I will continue my current regime of pulling out all but one or two specimens to keep it in control. It does have a habit of appearing in all the wrong places in a border mind!
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  chris June 23, 2013 at 6:30pm

  Be carefull some clients love it and designers use it
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  Dave Lockney June 23, 2013 at 9:19pm

  It is striking in its place. At least I now know its validity and can advise clients its not necessarily a weed.
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  Jez Young June 23, 2013 at 9:34pm

  I like it in the right place. just don't let it get into walls or patios as the roots push stones out. centrathus ruber (grrrrr I hate common names ;) )
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  BensBotanics June 23, 2013 at 10:07pm

  Yes it is indeed Centranthus ruber; also found as a mid-candy pink and a white form C. r. 'Albus'. It can actually be short lived in some places, particularly 'Albus' which won't usually come back from seed.

  I say usually because there's a cracking clump of C. r. 'Albus' in the dry stone wall in front of my house. Presumably because it's in relative isolation it is rejuvenating itself from seed because the clump is all pure white and is in good health. One of my customers, however, paid a small fortune for a pot of white Centranthus only for it to die out after three years and produce pink/red seedlings.

  As with any plant the roots are only a problem in walls with soft mortar or patios that aren't very well maintained!
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  Phil Voice June 24, 2013 at 8:42am

  Love seeing this growing on craggy walls and out of paving. Be warned though that the roots can swell and damage joints.
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  Claire Brown June 24, 2013 at 9:23am

  And of course as a Cut flower grower, I love it - nice and succulent and great as a vase filler- but will it self seed for me.......

  So if anyone in Surrey has a client with too many......
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  matt day June 24, 2013 at 9:40am

  Planted this on wasteland, hardcore and bricks, it has colonised and made a dramatic improvement. One mans weed another mans plant..
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  Phil Voice June 24, 2013 at 9:43am

  "One mans weed another mans plant."

  Agreed...I love it:)
  matt day said:

  Planted this on wasteland, hardcore and bricks, it has colonised and made a dramatic improvement. One mans weed another mans plant..