How to Grow Jupiter's Beard (Centranthus)

Jupiter's beard is a perennial with fragrant, dome-shaped clusters of small dark-pink or white flowers atop 2- to 3-foot stems.

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Hand Cultivators
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds

Instructions

Choosing Jupiter's Beard

1. Look for plants at nurseries in spring and summer.

2. Buy Jupiter's beard in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.

Planting Jupiter's Beard

1. Plant Jupiter's beard in full sun in well-drained soil.

2. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

3. Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

4. Set the plants 6 to 9 inches apart.

5. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

6. Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Jupiter's Beard

1. Cut off flower stems when they're finished blooming with bypass pruners - this will encourage more flowers.

2. Remove old foliage in spring, using bypass pruners to cut off the old stems.

3. Apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil in early spring (follow package directions).

4. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost in spring.

5. Water well weekly until soil is completely moist in summers with no rainfall.