Saponaria

( sap - on - NAY - ree - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial plants needs full sun and moderate to regular water to perform well. They are native to Europe and Asia and grow vigorously. Soapworts are considered very easy to cultivate in garden settings; some species can even be weedy and a bit invasive.

Saponaria Species and Varietals

The genus Saponaria includes between 30 and 40 distinct species and is a member of the plant family Caryophyllaceae. Saponaria grows well in zones 1-11 and 14-24, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Saponaria x lempergii (Giant Flowered Soapwort)
This species grows to 1 foot tall and a foot and a half wide, and has pink flowers with rose calyxes. Variety 'Max Frei' (pictured) blooms profusely with pink flowers in late summer and fall.

Saponaria ocymoides (Rock Soapwort, Tumbling Ted)
This species has a more trailing habit, reaching a foot tall and three feet across. Flowers bloom in springtime and are pink, forming loose bunches that make it look similar to Phlox. This plant is wonderful as a trailing plant over walls and in hanging baskets. This species is native to south-western and southern central Europe. 

Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort, Bouncing Bet, Crow Soap, Wild Sweet William, Soapweed)
This species reaches 2 feet tall and spreads by underground runners. Leaves are dark green and flowers form in loose clusters in summertime. Blooms come in red, pink or white. When roots are crushed in water, the plant produces a soap-like lather. It has naturalized itself along railways and roadsides in the West. Varieties include 'Rosea Plena' (with double flowers in light pink) and 'Rubra Plena' (with crimson blooms that fade with maturity).

​Saponaria pumila (Dwarf Soapwort)
This species grows well in zones 2-7 and 14-17. Leaves are bright green and flowers are purple-pink and bloom one per stem in springtime around the base of the plant, which forms a mat 2 feet tall and a foot wide. These plants are native to the eastern Alps in Austria and Italy, and the southern parts of the Eastern Carpathians in Romania.

Caring for Saponaria

harvesting for cut flowers

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Saponaria
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 591, Saponaria
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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