Soapwort - Saponaria officinalis
25 Seeds.
Sow April - June.
Hardy perennial.
Height 30-90cm (1-3ft), spread 60cm (2ft) or more.
Prefers a poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
Sow outside in mid spring. Grow in any soil, not too dry. Will tolerate poor soil.
Fibrous rootlets grow on pinky-brown runners, which contain the highest concentration of saponin. The leaves are oval, pointed and pale green with three parallel veins. Compact clusters of small pink or white flowers with a sweet fruit scent, which appear in summer to early autumn.
Soapwort
Also known as Bouncing Bet, Bruisewort, Farewell Summer, Fuller's Herb, Joe Run by the Street, Hedge Pink, Dog's Clove, Old Maid's Pink and Soaproot.
From the family Caryophyllaceae.
Medieval Arab physicians for various skin complaints, such as eczema, acne and those caused by venereal diseases used soapwort. Widespread on poor soils in Europe, Asia and Northern America. It yields a soapy sap, which is excellent for revitalizing precious fabrics, and is now used in museums for this purpose. Fullers used it for soaping cloth before it went on the stamps at the mill, and sheep were washed with a mixture of the leaves, roots and water before being shorn. It also exudes the most delicious raspberry sorbet scent with a hint of clove. It is still used by museum conservators to lift surface dirt gently from fragile antique textiles and paintings.