Saponaria ocymoides - L.

Common Name

Tumbling Ted. Rock Soapwort, Rock soapwort

Family

Caryophyllaceae

USDA hardiness

2-7

Known Hazards

The plant contains saponins[13]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Habitats

Sunny slopes and rocks, usually limestone, in foothills up to about 2300 metres in the Alps[187].

Range

Europe.

Edibility Rating

(0 of 5)

Other Uses

(3 of 5)

Weed Potential

Medicinal Rating

(0 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal.

Physical Characteristics

Saponaria ocymoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Ground Cover; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Soap

All parts of the plant are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[169]. The saponins are extracted by simmering the plant in water. Plants can be dried for later use[169]. A gentle and effective cleaner[169]. Plants make a good carpeting ground cover when spaced about 60cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Rock garden. Requires a gritty well-drained sunny dry position on a wall or the edge of a border creeping over a path[187]. Grows well in sandy and dry soils[188, 190]. Prefers a moisture-retentive soil[200]. Prefers a lime-free soil[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. Hardy to about -15°c[187]. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[200]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - best if given a short cold stratification. Sow autumn or late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be successfully done at any time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist until they are re-established. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Austria (west), Switzerland, Germany (south), Italy (incl. Sardinia), Slovenia, Spain, France (s. & Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Medicinal	Other
Gentiana saponaria	Harvestbells	Perennial	0.8	4-8		LMH	SN	MWe	3
Quillaja saponaria	Soap-Bark Tree, Soapbark	Tree	18.0	9-11	S	LMH	N	M	3	2
Sapindus saponaria	Soapberry, Wild Chinaberry, Florida Soap Berry, Soap Nut, Soap Tree	Tree	10.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	DM	2	4
Saponaria officinalis	Soapwort, Bouncingbet	Perennial	1.0	4-8	M	LMH	SN	M	3	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment


winnie kelly	Thu Apr 23 2009

how do you plant them?