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Rock Soapwort

Herbaceous Perennial Flower

Saponaria ocymoides
Caryophyllaceae Family

This dainty rock garden plant produces clouds of tiny pink to crimson blooms in early and late summer. Does not perform well in hot, humid locations.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

Site Characteristics

full sun

Soil conditions:

tolerates droughty soil
requires well-drained soil
tolerates low fertility

Prefers poor, sandy or rocky soil that is very well drained.

Hardiness zones:

2 to 9

Special locations:

rock gardens

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 0.25 to 0.75 feet

Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet

Bloom time:

early summer
mid-summer
late summer

Flower color:

red
pink

Foliage color: gray-green

Oval leaves are gray-green and hairy.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: spreading mass

Shape in flower: flower stalks with sprays of flowers

Flowers borne in dense cloud-like sprays above the foliage.

Special Considerations

Special characteristics:

deer resistant
non-aggressive
non-invasive
not native to North America - Native to Europe Alps.

Growing Information

How to plant:

Propagate by seed, cuttings, division or separation - Sow seeds in spring. Take cuttings in midsummer. Divide in very early spring.

Maintenance and care:

After first bloom, cut back the plants severely to encourage growth and a second bloom in late summer.
More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

�Rubra Compacta�: vivid red blooms on compact, mound-forming plants. Does not form mats.
�Alba�: white blooms.
�Snow Tip�: white blooms on 10� tall plants.