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Herbaceous Perennial

Saponaria officinalis

soapwort

A rhizomatous perennial forming wide clumps of upright stems bearing ovate leaves and terminal clusters of fragrant light pink or white flowers in summer and autumn

Other common names

Boston pink
bouncing bet
see morebouncing bett
chimney pink
common soapwort
devil in a bush
farewell to summer
flop top
fuller's herb
Gill-run-by-the-street
hedge pink
Jill-run-by-the-street
lady by the gate
mock gilliflower
old maid's pink
old maid's slipper
soap plant
soap root
sweet Betty
wild sweet William
wood phlox
world's wonder
bruisewort
crow soap
London pride
sheepweed
soapwort gentian

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Saponaria can be annuals or perennials, with opposite, entire leaves and small clusters of pink or purple flowers in summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Tolerates poor soils. May be suitable for beds and borders, but has the potential to become a nuisance and should be carefully managed to control spread

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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