Saponaria ocymoides
tumbling ted and rock soapwort
Saponaria ocymoides forms a spreading mat of small semi-evergreen leaves that stays neat and compact while gradually widening over time. The clusters of rose-pink blooms may be small individually, but they appear in such abundance that the plant becomes almost completely covered in colour during peak flowering.
Masses of bright pink flowers smother this low-growing perennial in summer, creating a soft carpet of colour that spills beautifully over walls, gravel edges and raised beds. Its trailing stems weave naturally through rockeries and sunny borders, helping to soften hard edges while filling gaps with very little effort.
Ideal for dry, free-draining spots, this hardy perennial copes well with poorer soils once established and is a reliable choice for Mediterranean-style planting schemes, alpine gardens and cottage garden borders alike. It’s easy to grow, low maintenance (once established), and particularly effective where stems can gently trail over paving, retaining walls or larger container edges.
Masses of bright pink flowers smother this low-growing perennial in summer, creating a soft carpet of colour that spills beautifully over walls, gravel edges and raised beds. Its trailing stems weave naturally through rockeries and sunny borders, helping to soften hard edges while filling gaps with very little effort.
Ideal for dry, free-draining spots, this hardy perennial copes well with poorer soils once established and is a reliable choice for Mediterranean-style planting schemes, alpine gardens and cottage garden borders alike. It’s easy to grow, low maintenance (once established), and particularly effective where stems can gently trail over paving, retaining walls or larger container edges.
How to care for Saponaria ocymoides:
Plant in a sunny, well-drained spot, preparing the soil with some garden compost to give it a good start. Space plants to allow air circulation, as this helps reduce the risk of disease. Water regularly during the first season to establish roots, then cut back slightly in early spring to encourage fresh growth and abundant flowering.
Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the display and maintain a tidy appearance. Once established, this hardy perennial requires only modest attention and will happily spread, producing masses of fragrant, bright pink flowers throughout the summer.
Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the display and maintain a tidy appearance. Once established, this hardy perennial requires only modest attention and will happily spread, producing masses of fragrant, bright pink flowers throughout the summer.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.1m
Eventual spread:
0.4m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
