Saponaria officinalis

The Saponaria officinalis, known as soapwort, campanulate soapwort, or soap herb, is a robust perennial with a quaint charm, ideal for an informal garden. It blooms long and abundantly in summer, adorned with charming flowers in their simplicity, white-pink or pale pink, slightly fragrant. It forms a luxuriant tuft, even a little invasive where it thrives, in moist soil. Its foliage is glabrous and bright green. It is a plant that may not be spectacular, but is truly undemanding, graceful, easy to grow, and long-lasting. It will thrive in full sun, in a natural garden or a countryside bed.

The Saponaria officinalis is a herbaceous perennial plant in the Caryophyllaceae family, native to Europe and Asia, formerly cultivated in Mediterranean gardens. This wild plant is frequently found in the countryside, along paths, and near watercourses. The plant, with its spreading rhizomes, forms loose tufts that spread over time, especially in rich and moist soil. This plant will reach about 60 cm (24in) in height and at least 50 cm (20in) in width. The upright and sprawling stems bear phlox-like flowers from July to September, light pink, slightly fragrant, and gathered in dense clusters above the foliage. Its leaves, opposite on the stem, are ovate, bright green, pointed, and deeply marked by three longitudinal veins.

Soapwort makes an impact when planted in large colonies in a garden that embraces nature, but it 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, like Persicaria, Ligularia, Salicaria, Veronicastrum. Also, be aware that shade stops its growth as effectively as a weedkiller.