Saponaria ocymoides or as it is more commonly known the Rock soapwort is a tough little perennial plant. This native to southern Europe and south west Asia is most closely related to the Lychnis and Silene. It is very similar in appearance to creeping phlox. Like the creeping phlox it has a low, trailing, growing habit getting no higher than one foot with a three foot wide spread. It is used mostly in rock gardens or as a ground cover. It looks especially lovely trailing over a garden wall or stuck in little pockets on a succulent or herb covered stone wall.
This little guy is new and a rescue plant. Didn't really have a place for it but a friend needed a spot where it would not die so I took it. I think I'll plan on putting it on the edge of my butterfly garden so it trails over the wall.
This was taken 5/16/2010 - and it just started to bloom for the first time.
Rock Soapwort gets it's name from the fact that when rubbed vigorously with water it produces suds just like soap.
Nice link to more Rock Soapwort
