Saponaria officinalis – double form

Description

Saponaria officinalis – double form

Bouncing Bet. A great British native for a planting somewhere rough. The flowers are larger than the type with very many extra petals. They are really quite dishevelled in form, with a split calyx like many of the old double pinks, but they have a old world charm. The colour is cream, deepening to a sugar pink. This is one of those perennials that we call ‘undemanding’ or put another way a blessed nuisance. Don’t plant it in your prize bed as it will take diabolical liberties, but do plant it on a rough bank or somewhere where its roguish exuberance (ie it runs like crazy) won’t be a problem. 3-4 ft. The roots of Soapwort contain saponin which has been used in the past a gentle cleansing agent, especially for fabrics that can be harmed by synthetic soaps. It has found use also in medicine. I found the rather ominous quote ‘For old veneral complaints it is a good cure, specially where mercury has failed’. In large doses it can have poisonous effects, destroying red blood cells. Soaproot, Latherwort, Fuller’s Herb, Bruisewort, Crow Soap, Sweet Betty, Wild Sweet William.