Botanical Name: Saponaria ocymoides
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Common Name: Rock Soapwort  
Plant photo of: Saponaria ocymoides
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Light Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Parking Strip, Walls / Fences, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cascade, Mass Planting

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Rock Soapwort is a vigorous creeper with profuse, late spring pink flowers and fine, dark green leaves. It grows about 4 to 5 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. It grows in sun to part shade, tolerating morning shade/afternoon sun conditions. Prefers well drained soils, and drought tolerant. Attractive cascading over wall and rocks. After flowering, deadhead spent blooms to maintain a tidy appearance; if planted in a large area as a groundcover, use a lawn mower set at 4 inches. Will tolerate light foot traffic.
If using as a ground cover, plant on 15 to 18 inch centers to fill in the first season. May be mowed after flowering to deadhead. Attracts bees.