Centranthus ruber Red Valerian

A native of southwest Europe and the Mediterranean which grows on walls, rocky or gravelly waste places, roadside verges, sand dunes and cliffs, often as large striking populations. Flower colour varies from dark red through to pink and white and mixed populations are not uncommon (see photos). Originally introduced as a garden plant, it was first recorded wild in Britain in West Glamorgan in 1698, where it was found in the vicinity of Margam Abbey. It is now widely naturalised and a very common plant in southern Britain. In West Glamorgan it is predominantly a coastal species but scattered populations extend inland along valley roads.

Neophyte