Jupiter’s beard
Centranthus ruber
Jupiter’s beard (Centranthus ruber) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 24 to 30 in tall and 12 to 20 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 10.0 of 10.
On the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water24 to 30 in tall and 12 to 20 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
Photos
- Photo 1: (unknown), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: Argo Navis, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Jacek Pietruszewski, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Andreas Stiller, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 5: Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 6: (c) Andreas Stiller, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 24 to 30 in tall and 12 to 20 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~14 to 20 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, mid fall
- Bloom color
- red
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySelf-seeds prolifically into gravel and walls; easy to pull when young
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Jupiter’s beard good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Jupiter’s beard is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Jupiter’s beard?
- The main things to know: Self-seeds prolifically into gravel and walls; easy to pull when young
- How big does Jupiter’s beard get?
- It matures to about 24 to 30 in tall and 12 to 20 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Jupiter’s beard?
- Space Jupiter’s beard about 14 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 20 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Jupiter’s beard hardy on the Front Range?
- Jupiter’s beard is hardy in USDA 5 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Jupiter’s beard need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Jupiter’s beard native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Jupiter’s beard a good firewise plant near the house?
- Jupiter’s beard is rated 10 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Jupiter’s beard bloom?
- Jupiter’s beard blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
