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Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Saponaria officinalis
Other names
Soapwort, Wild sweet William, Wood phlox, World's wonder, Soap root, Soapwort gentian, Sweet Betty, Old maid's slipper, Sheepweed, Soap plant, London pride, Mock gilliflower, Old maid's pink, Hedge pink, Jill-run-by-the-street, Gill-run-by-the-street , Fuller's herb, Lady by the gate , Bruisewort, Bouncing bett
Genus
Saponaria Saponaria
Species
S. officinalis - S. officinalis is a clump-forming perennial with upright stems bearing ovate leaves and clusters of fragrant pale-pink or white flowers in summer and autumn.
Saponaria officinalis is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming
Flower
Flushed pink, White in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly. Cut back after flowering to maintain a compact habit and to encourage a second flush of flowers.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Tolerates poor, rocky or sandy soils. May flop in fertile soil. Site carefully as tends to spread rapidly by rhizomes.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Saponaria officinalis
Other names
Soapwort, Wild sweet William, Wood phlox, World's wonder, Soap root, Soapwort gentian, Sweet Betty, Old maid's slipper, Sheepweed, Soap plant, London pride, Mock gilliflower, Old maid's pink, Hedge pink, Jill-run-by-the-street, Gill-run-by-the-street , Fuller's herb, Lady by the gate , Bruisewort, Bouncing bett
Genus
Saponaria Saponaria
Species
S. officinalis - S. officinalis is a clump-forming perennial with upright stems bearing ovate leaves and clusters of fragrant pale-pink or white flowers in summer and autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Flushed pink, White in Summer
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly. Cut back after flowering to maintain a compact habit and to encourage a second flush of flowers.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Tolerates poor, rocky or sandy soils. May flop in fertile soil. Site carefully as tends to spread rapidly by rhizomes.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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By Garden Designer Tony Woods. As our world changes, the need to take care of our most precious resource is greater than ever. Weather is increasingly unpredictable, with drier summers… read more
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Saponaria oficinalis
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