Centranthus for Graham Rice

Centranthus2Graham Rice just did a post about the always lovely Centranthus ruber, or Jupiter’s beard. I have a lilac/lavender variety that I have only ever seen once.  I wish now that I had bought every one I saw.  But this one is quite tough and self-sows just like the others, so I’ve been moving the seedlings around my garden just to make sure I’ve got back-ups. 

A friend saw this in my garden and gasped and said, "Where did you GET that?"  I had to break the news to her that she was married to the owner of the nursery where I bought it.

It’s truly a lilac color, not the common rosy pink.  Here’sCentranthus another photograph of it with one of the rosier versions in front for contrast.  Click to enlarge the photos.