Jupiter's Beard is salt tolerant so is a good plant for coastal areas

Because the Roman god Jupiter, also called Jove, was just like the Greek god Zeus, the main god and the god of the sky, the Romans named the largest planet in his honor. And Jupiter, the planet, or more accurately four of Jupiter's 79 moons, made Galileo famous when he first saw that four new stars in his telescope moved around Jupiter, and therefore not everything revolves around the earth or the sun.

Jupiter or Jove has a flowing beard, which is why the garden plant Centranthus ruber is better known as Jupiter’s Beard.

Jupiter's Beard is truly a godsend because it is not only easy to grow, but one of the showiest plants, blooming all season with little care. As a bonus they attract butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinator insects. Jupiter's Beard is salt tolerant, so it is a good plant for coastal areas. They are usually not bothered by deer or rabbits. Jupiter's Beard is an ever-blooming perennial that can be grown from seed, but usually purchased as plants.

Once established they are drought tolerant, and useful in xeriscaping. The plants are hardy in USDA zones 4-8.

The leaves and flowers are edible. What would a Roman feast be without salad? The word salad comes from Vulgar Latin, salata, literally "salted," short for herba salata or a salad of "salted vegetables." So invite Jupiter to the feast by adding fresh small leaves of Jupiter's Beard to salads or stir fries.

The most common color is red, but you can also find Jupiter's Beard with pink or white flowers (Centranthus ruber Albus). The clusters of small flowers are held above gray-green foliage. The stocky plants will reach up to three feet tall.

They contrast nicely when planted alongside silver-grey fuzzy Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina).

Lamb's Ear is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, and like Jupiter's Beard, Lamb's Ear is low-maintenance and drought hardy.

Plant Jupiter's Beard in full sun or light shade. The only real requirement as far as soil is that it drains well. They tolerate any soil, but do best with a slightly high pH.

This why you find Jupiter's Beard growing against old walls and house foundations, because the lime leaches from the concrete and sweetens the soil.

To grow from seed, sow the seeds in seed-starter potting mix in individual pots or flats. Press the seeds gently into the soil so they are just barely covered with dirt. They should germinate in two to three weeks.

You can direct sow the seeds outdoors. Plant groups of three to four seeds every two feet. After the seedlings have at least two leaves, thin each group to the single strongest plant.

After a few years you can divide established clumps in early spring when the first leaves sprout.

Some gardeners find Jupiter's Beard plants invasive. If you want to prevent volunteer seedlings you can deadhead the plants, which is simply cutting off the flowers as they die before they can go to seed.

This is a carefree perennial for your garden, perfect for entertaining, and what could be more jovial? Those born under the astrological sign of Jupiter are said to be goodhearted and merry, and so were said to be Jove-like or jovial.

Grow Jupiter's Beard in sun in light shade, in drought or in rain, and you will have flowers for years to come. And what could be more jovial than that, by Jove?