Saponaria-Rock Soapwort, Cowherb, Bouncing Bet

Propagating Saponaria or Rock Soapwort can be accomplished either in the spring or fall by digging up the parent plant and dividing the roots and water well after transplanting. It prefers full sun but will take partial shade and it is a fast growing evergreen groundcover that blooms when most other perennials are done, from May-September, varieties are either pink or white, but will not tolerate humidity but will grow at elevations of 7,000 feet, and will tolerate drought conditions. The name Saponaria comes from the word SOAP, saponius, and it roots, not cooked, are used as a detergent or shampoo, but cannot be stored, and in previous days in Australia they used it to clean the sheep’s wool before shearing. It is a great groundcover that I will use in the future and reaches a height of 6" and its blooms will attract both butterflies and hummingbirds but not deer.