Description
Saponaria officinalis
Also known as ‘Bouncing Bet’, soapwort is an attractive hardy perennial groundcover herb with white-pink flowers, very useful for food forest/forest garden groundcover especially when combined with a lower growing species. It does have medicinal uses as an expectorant, and potentially as a cancer treatment but caution is strongly advised. The plant also contain saponins – infuse fresh or dry leaves and root in warm water to make a gentle ‘soap’. This has been used in the past to clean delicate paintings and cloths such as the Bayeaux Tapestry. Full sun or part shade. Caution – may be invasive in moist soil, and do not plant near a pond as stems trailing into water may be poisonous to aquatic life. Height to 60cm when in flower, spread 60 – 100 cm. 9cm pot. Certified organic plant.
