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Wild Sweet William Saponaria officinalis

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Wild Sweet William:

Phonetic Spelling
sap-oh-NAIR-ee-ah oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Soapwort is also called "Bouncing Bet" and "Lady by the garden gate" it is native of Europe that has naturalized.  The plants are often are seen growing along roadsides, waste places, and railroad tracks and are considered weedy by some.  In the landscape under cultivation, it is an upright pretty perennial with pink, rose or white clusters of flowers.   Soapworts get their name because they contain saponins in the plant sap which lathers when used for washing.  It tolerates light foot traffic.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#foot traffic tolerant#roadside#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#foot traffic tolerant#roadside#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Saponaria
    Species:
    officinalis
    Family:
    Caryophyllaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Caucasus
    Distribution:
    Naturalized throughout many parts of the United States and North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and moths.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    A small cluster of flowers appear at the top of the stem. The flower measures about 1-inch across and have 5 notched petals in shades of pink to white. Behind the flower is a slender, 1-inch long, tubular calyx that is light green to reddish and has 5 short teeth.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, smooth margin. Palmately veined. 2-3" pairs of broadly lance-shaped leaves that have 3-5 ribs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are erect and smooth. The stems may be reddish tinged.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Foot Traffic
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponic glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Seeds