Saponaria officinalis Alba Plena

The Saponaria officinalis 'Alba Plena', known as soapwort, soapwort or soap herb, is a very robust perennial with a quaint charm, perfect for an informal garden. It blooms for a long time in summer, adorned with pure white, semi-double pompom-like flowers that are slightly fragrant. It forms a lush clump, and can be a bit invasive if thrives in moist soil. Its foliage is glabrous and a vibrant green. While not dazzling, it is a truly undemanding plant, graceful, very robust and long-lived. It will thrive in full sun, in a natural garden or a wildflower bed.

Saponaria officinalis is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Europe and Asia, once cultivated in Mediterranean gardens. This wild plant is frequently found in the countryside, along paths and near watercourses. The variety 'Alba Plena', from which it derives, stands out with its semi-double, immaculate white flowers. The plant, equipped with very trailing rhizomes, forms loose clumps that spread over time, especially in rich and moist soil. This plant will reach a height of about 60 cm (24in), and a minimum width of 50 cm (20in). The upright and sprawling stems bear flowers resembling those of phlox, but semi-double, white, slightly fragrant, and gathered in dense clusters above the foliage. Its leaves are opposite on the stem, ovate, vibrant green, pointed, and deeply marked by three longitudinal veins.

The 'Alba Plena' soapwort, like all soapworts, has a striking effect when planted in large colonies in a garden that embraces nature, but is not recommended for small spaces. It can be associated with pretty wildflowers such as Galega officinalis, Campanula pyramidalis, mulleins, centaureas, artemisias, cornflowers, fennel or viper's bugloss. It will also thrive in the company of other plants that hold their own, such as Persicaria, Ligularia, Lythrum salicaria, Veronicastrum. Also, be aware that shade prevent growth as much as a weed killer.