Saponaria Species, Rock Soapwort

Saponaria ocymoides
I have a new planting of these and they are slowly wilting and dying off. I have looked for the cause and have...Read More only found slugs or snails as known pests. I did dig up one dead plant and found that the lower half of the tap root had its outer covering chewed off. I am uncertain if it was caused by grubs or nematodes or???. The bed has adequate drainage and with the wetness of this year have not done any mulching.

I've had soapwort in my garden for almost 10 years and it's one of my favorite ground covers. It keeps weeds out very well, and the love...Read Morely pink flowers in spring draw attention and compliments. It does reseed quite easily, but I have never had any problem keeping the plan under control. It does best with south or west exposure, and looks wondering tumbling over rocks, a slope or a retaining wall. I have it sitting next to beds of light blue phlox and white candy tuft. The blooming time is staggered for each, but the color palate is gorgeous during the week or so where all 3 are blooming at the same time.

This plant was great in an urn in a hot, sunny dry part of my yard. After 2 - 3 weeks of beautiful blooming, I cut it back hard and the ...Read Moreleaves filled back in for the rest of the summer and well into fall. It takes very little care.

not real thrilled with it and it did not stay evergreen here... I had to cut back a bunch of browned growth in early spring