We have heard about many plants since childhood, we remember what they are called, but we have no exact idea about them. Or vice versa: we only know the flower by sight, but its name is unknown. An employee will help you get to know the nature around us better. Botanical Garden UNN, full member of the Russian Botanical Society Ilya Lvovich Mininzon.
As a child, I visited my grandmother in the village and really loved going to the bathhouse. It was a kind of ritual. IN hot water steamed raspberries and fragrant herbs. But the most interesting thing is that they washed their hair with a decoction of white flowers. Grandma called them soap-makers; they grew up all over our village. After reading your magazine, I became interested: what are the correct names of these plants? Tatyana Krasovskaya, Moscow region.
In the old days, soap was not known in Rus'. They washed and washed with lye - an infusion of ash containing potassium carbonate. It has the property of saponifying fats, that is, converting them into a water-soluble state. And in addition, they used plants that also contained various substances that saponified fats. Most of these substances are saponins. In our flora, among similar plants, the most famous is soapwort officinalis ( Saponaria officinalis L.), family Carnation - Caryophyllaceae. The soaping substances extracted from its root were named after its Latin name (Saponaria). No wonder the people Russian name This plant is soap root. In short, these flowers are called soapworts, and sometimes - bath root.
Back in the 18th century, they noticed that the plant is beautifully flowering and based on it they created garden forms, including double and pink flowers. The natural shape of the flower is simple and often white.
Having been brought to Russia, cultural forms en masse went wild. At the same time, the plant is also known in natural habitats. True, as a result of mass savagery garden forms, including terry ones, it is now difficult to say whether soapwort is naturally growing in a given area, or wild from cultivation. To a large extent, this also applies to the Nizhny Novgorod region.
What is this plant? herbaceous perennial with a stem up to 80 cm tall emerging from a creeping rhizome. The stem is simple, or branched in the upper part, glabrous, or briefly pubescent. Leaves are opposite, lanceolate, entire with main veins.
Flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, fragrant; have 5 petals, white or pink, their limb is notched. In double flowers, some of the stamens are turned into petals. The calyx is sphenoletal, with five teeth. The fruit is a capsule, opening at the apex with four teeth. Numerous flowers are collected in terminal multi-flowered corymbose-paniculate inflorescences. From a distance they resemble phlox. The aroma is strong, intensifies in the evening and when it rains, reminiscent of the smell of scented soap.
Soap plants are very unpretentious, both to soil and to moisture conditions. But they work best on loams with good lighting and moderate watering.
Wild plants grow rapidly by underground rhizomes. Once in the meadows, they form a round white island that expands in diameter over the years.
The plant is rarely used in design, since the flowers are not resistant to precipitation and after rain they take on a sloppy appearance. However, in the background of a flower bed and for creating spots of color, the plant is quite suitable.
Application. For a long time, in Siberian villages, soap root was used instead of soap. It was soaked in water and the hair was washed with the resulting solution. Nowadays, “red soap root” (containing 13-15% saponins and even up to 35%) is obtained from Soapwort officinalis. Soap root is also used in Food Industry for the preparation of confectionery products, including oriental sweets - white Turkish delight and halva.
I.L. Mininzon,
full member of the Russian Botanical Society.
You can find this article in the magazine "Magic Garden" 2009 No. 4.
Soapwort - this name has been familiar to us since childhood. At my grandmother's in the village, you could dig up an inconspicuous flower, wet its root and watch how a foam similar to soap formed. Indeed, the plant cannot be called ordinary. It's not only charming flower decorating our gardens, but also medicine, as well as raw materials for the cosmetics industry. In addition, soapwort is famous for its unpretentiousness, so even an inexperienced novice gardener can grow it on their own plot.
In decorative floriculture, the plant is used most often as a perennial, beautifully flowering ground cover, and the first varieties of soapwort were bred back in late XVII century. Its bright, dense inflorescences of pink, purple or cream tones are crowned with thin shoots, decorated with a mop of delicate rich green leaves.
Soapwort is a name derived from the literal translation of the Latin word “sapo” - soap. The second, less common name of the perennial is saponaria. Among the people, the flower received several nicknames: “soap root”, “dog soap”, “cleanness”, “white carnation”.
As mentioned above, saponaria has received widespread practical use, based on the properties of saponin - an organic compound found in roots, shoots and leaves:
- First of all, soapwort is known as a medicinal plant, rich in vitamins and beneficial organic compounds. Decoctions and infusions taken orally treat metabolic disorders, diseases of the stomach, intestines, and lungs. The plant is famous for its expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and laxative properties. The pulp from the leaves and roots is also used externally to treat dermatitis, eczema and scaly lichen.
[!] Before treatment with soapwort preparations, consult your doctor! The plant is poisonous; incorrect dosage can cause poisoning, manifested in nausea, vomiting and headache.
- Saponaria is also used to treat domestic animals as an anthelmintic.
- IN household chemicals saponin is used as a stain remover and detergent for delicate fabrics.
- Halva and Turkish delight are prepared from some types of plants.
- In addition, soapwort is used in cosmetics based on organic and plant-based products.
You can plant such an unusual, beautiful and useful plant on your site. But to create for soapwort best conditions, it’s worth getting to know her better.
Botany classifies the genus Saponaria (lat. Saponaria) as a member of the large family of cloves (lat. Caryophyllaceae), and its closest relatives are the well-known carnation, adonis and gypsophila. All species combined into a genus have several common characteristics. These are herbaceous plants, perennial, less often annual, with erect stems and opposite leaves. various shapes: lanceolate, oval, spatulate, etc. The flowers, depending on the variety, are colored in shades of pink, white, lilac, red and are collected in inflorescences in the form of a shield or panicle. The total height of soapwort varies between 5-80 cm.
In nature, saponaria is found mainly in the mountainous regions of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees), on the Mediterranean coast and in Asia Minor. In Russia individual species soapworts grow in the European part of the country, the mountains and foothills of the Caucasus, as well as in Siberia.
Types and varieties of soapwort
The total number of species that make up the genus Saponaria is not so large - about 40. And even fewer are adapted to the conditions ornamental cultivation. To date, no more than 10 species have been cultivated, but work on plant selection continues. The most popular types of soapwort among gardeners are:
Soapwort officinalis(lat. Saponaria officinalis). A tall (up to 90 cm) plant with numerous densely leafy branched stems, bare or covered with short hair. The shape of the leaves is oblong-oval. Large five-petaled flowers are collected in inflorescences, their petals are painted in various shades of red, pink and white.
The species has become widespread as an ornamental and medicinal crop and is found everywhere in personal plots central Russia. It's big flowering plant Not only does it look impressive, but it also has an easy-going disposition, without causing much trouble to its owner. Besides medicinal soapwort It smells great, attracting the insects that pollinate it with its delicate aroma.
Most popular varieties Saponaria officinalis can be called:
- "Flore Pleno" (Flore Pleno) - distinguished by delicate, creamy-pink, double inflorescences.
- "Betty Arnold" (Betty Arnold) - double, snow-white flowers on long stalks.
- "Variegata" (Variegata) - variety, main value which has leaves decorated with a variegated pattern of shades of green.
- 'Dazzler' is another variegated variety with pink flowers.
M. "Flore Pleno", M. "Betty Arnold", M. "Variegata" - “Alba Plena”, “Rubra Plena”, “Rosea Plena” (Alba Plena, Rubra Plena, Rosea Plena) – group decorative varieties with dense dense inflorescences different shades: white, pink, purple.
M. "Alba Plena", M. "Rubra Plena", M. "Rosea Plena" Soapwort basilicofolia(lat. Saponaria ocymoides) - a classic, unlike the previous species, ground cover, maximum height which is only 20 cm long. Soft long shoots spread low along the ground, forming a soft plant cushion. The elongated leaves have a bright green tint, and pink-red fragrant inflorescences densely cover the ends of the stems. This beautifully flowering perennial came to us from Southern Europe, taking root well in our conditions.
The most common varieties:
- "Rubra Compacta" (Rubra Compacta) - beautiful, bright pink inflorescences, densely covering the shoots.
- "Splendens" (Luxury) - a variety similar to the previous one, but with more delicate shade petals.
- "Snow Tip" - snow-white flowers on a bright green background of leaves and shoots.
M. "Rubra Compacta", M. "Splendens", M. "Snow Tip" Soapwort Olivana(lat. Saponaria x olivana). Hybrid view, bred specifically for landing on alpine roller coaster. This is a very low (no more than 10 cm) plant, forming spreading green curtains with a diameter of at least 20 cm. Large five-petal flowers growing from a goblet-shaped bowl are decorated with pink or purple petals.
Soddy soapwort(lat. Saponaria caespitosa). A beautiful ground cover perennial with a woody base. The total height of the plant is 7-15 cm, the leaves are smooth, elongated, the flowers with oval petals are pale pink in color. Due to its small size, like the previous species, it is excellent for planting in rock gardens.
Soapwort Lemperji(lat. Saponaria x lempergii). Hybrid form, characterized by medium (up to 40 cm) sizes. Erect, highly branched shoots are decorated with long narrow leaves and single five-petaled flowers, the shade of which varies from light pink to deep lilac.
M. Olivana, M. soddy, M. Lemperji Unfortunately, the seeds of only two soapworts are found on sale: officinalis and basilica. The rest are not very common in our country and are rather exotic, inaccessible to a wide range of gardeners.
Using soapwort in landscape design
How exactly to decorate your garden with soapwort depends on the type of plant being planted. For example, medicinal saponaria is quite large in size, so it can be planted in the vicinity of equally tall perennials, both beautifully flowering (phlox, dahlias, aconites) and decorative foliage (ferns, ornamental asparagus). In the first case, flowers of different shades and shapes will create a bright pattern, and in the second, delicate soapwort inflorescences will stand out against the background of rich greenery.
[!] Valuable varieties Saponaria officinalis can also be used for cutting and for bouquets.
Soapwort basilicofolia and others low-growing species, are planted primarily as ground covers. These plants look especially impressive on alpine hills, in borders and ridges, as well as in landscape compositions using stones. Plant partners in such plantings can be other drought-resistant plants. ground cover perennials: iberis, .
Some useful tips for those who decided to decorate their garden with a useful, beautiful soapwort:
- Saponaria reproduces well by self-seeding, therefore, in strictly defined landscape compositions, the spontaneous growth of the perennial should be limited, preventing the seeds from maturing.
- Soapwort does not tolerate high groundwater. Planting a plant on the shore of a body of water is a bad idea. And if aqueous layer lies close to the surface of the earth throughout the entire area, the flowerbed with ground cover needs to be raised slightly by creating an embankment or slide.
Soapwort: cultivation and care
Saponaria can be attributed to that group decorative perennials, which do not require any special conditions. If there is no time for careful care, soapwort can be planted and forgotten about, and even then the unpretentious green beauty will bloom regularly, pleasing the eye bright colors.
However, there are still some subtleties of caring for a beautifully flowering ground cover.
Location, soil
You can grow soapwort in almost every corner of your garden, the plant will take root both in open sun and in partial shade. The only exception is heavily shaded areas; in such places, although saponaria will grow, it will bloom sparingly, and its shoots will stretch out unattractively, trying to find the sun. It is best to plant the perennial in the brightest southern area; saponaria is not afraid of burns and will feel great under the hot rays of the sun.
When planting soapwort, you should pay attention to the composition of the substrate. In nature, the plant can often be found in mountainous areas, where the soil is poor and rich in lime. And in our gardens, on the contrary, the soil is fertile and rich in humus. To make it more loose (water- and breathable) before planting saponaria, you should add a certain amount of clean coarse sand or small stones.
Soils that are too acidic and unsuitable for planting soapwort can be limed. For this they use lime fertilizers(dolomite, calcite, slaked lime), introducing them once every 5-6 years in spring or autumn. As a result of liming, high acidity is not only neutralized, but also the calcium content in the substrate increases, which has a beneficial effect on plant health.
Watering, fertilizing
Soapwort, like everyone else alpine plants, V large quantities does not need moisture. Moreover, excess stagnant water can cause root rot. That is why there is no special need to water the saponaria; rain is enough for it.
The same applies to feeding the plant - saponaria receives all the necessary minerals from the soil. Thoughtless application of fertilizers will only harm the perennial. For example, too much will lead to rapid growth green mass to the detriment of flowering.
Flowering, shaping and pruning
Soapwort has one undeniable advantage - the plant is able to bloom almost all summer. The first buds appear at the end of June, and the last at the end of August. In order for the perennial to bloom again, faded shoots can be removed, thus stimulating the appearance of new ones. In addition, timely removal of flower stalks will prevent the formation of seeds and will not allow soapwort to spontaneously reproduce by self-seeding.
At the end of autumn, after the first frost, the shoots of saponaria need to be cut off, this will help the plant prepare for the onset of cold weather.
Another feature of soapwort is that old (5-6 year old) specimens lose their decorative look: the shoots grow and become bald, and the dense curtains fall apart, revealing ugly bald spots in the center. Such plants should be rejuvenated by dividing them or rooting cuttings.
Wintering
Saponaria resistance to winter frosts depends on its type. So, for example, Soapwort officinalis can withstand cold temperatures down to 30°C, and Soapwort basilica is much less frost-resistant and northern regions, as a rule, freezes out.
[!] When growing basilica saponaria in areas with harsh winters, its flower stalks should not be trimmed. Even if the plant freezes, the ripened seeds will produce next year new young growth.
To avoid damage, especially valuable, rare varieties of hybrid soapwort can be covered for the winter. Dry fallen leaves, spruce branches or special covering material are suitable for this.
Reproduction
It is very easy to propagate saponaria, you just need to choose the most convenient way from several. You can get young perennials using:
- seeds,
- Cherenkov,
- root division.
Seeds
Soapwort seeds are quite often found on sale. They are sown:
- In October, in open ground;
- In March for seedlings;
- In May in open ground.
If possible, it is better to sow in the fall. This way the seeds will undergo natural stratification (hardening) and will sprout more easily in the spring. However, it is not forbidden to plant soapwort seeds in the spring, especially since they go on sale already prepared.
Whatever method you choose, the agricultural technology for sowing saponaria is the same. First of all, you need to mix the soil with a small amount of sand, making it looser, and gently moisten it with a spray bottle. Then the seeds need to be scattered over the surface of the substrate and sprinkled with clean, dry sand on top. It is not worth planting the seeds deep; due to their microscopic size, they may not sprout. The optimal temperature for the appearance of sprouts is 20-22°C.
After 3-4 leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings must be planted in open ground (if they were sown as seedlings) or thinned out. The distance between individual specimens should be at least 30 cm. In the future, the bushes will grow and cover the entire free area of the ground.
Cuttings and root division
Saponaria can be propagated in other ways, for example by cuttings. To do this, in spring or early summer, before flowering, cut apical cuttings, from which they are removed lower leaves, leaving only 2-3 top ones, and then plant them in a shaded place. After the roots appear, the cuttings are carefully dug up and, together with a lump of earth, moved to a permanent place.
You can divide the root of an adult soapwort not only for the purpose of its propagation, but also in order to rejuvenate the plant. The procedure is very simple: the perennial is carefully dug up, the excess soil is shaken off, after which the root is cut into 2-3 parts using a sharp knife. Each part must contain a certain number of roots and at least one growth point. The separated plants are replanted in the substrate in a permanent place.
Pests and diseases
Among the diseases, one can note a fungal infection that leads to leaf spotting. In addition, due to excessive watering, it may develop root rot, extending to aboveground part perennial In both cases, the affected parts should be destroyed, and if the disease progresses, then the entire bush.
Other insects or diseases are practically not scary for soapwort and appear very rarely.
Soapwort is a wonderful representative of the kingdom of Flora. It blooms all summer, delighting the eye with bright colors, does not require special conditions and does not annoy the gardener with its whims. In addition, saponaria has medicinal properties and wonderful aroma. Without a doubt, this plant deserves the closest attention and is worthy of wide distribution in our gardens.
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IN folk medicine Many herbs are used. TO useful plants Soapwort also applies. What kind of herb is this, and what diseases do products based on it help with? First, you need to figure out what the plant looks like and what properties it has.
What kind of grass is this
Soapwort officinalis is a member of the genus Cloveaceae. This plant It has a fairly powerful root system, which is strengthened in the soil by long spreading roots. They are characterized by a brown-red hue.
The stems of soapwort are bare and straight. It is on them that the leaves are located, which gradually taper towards the base. They have opposite and very short cuttings. As for the inflorescences, these are panicles. In soapwort they are pale pink or completely white tone. As a fruit, the plant ripens in a capsule filled with seeds. The flowering period is from June to November.
The soapwort, the photo of which is presented below, is found in Central and Southern Europe, Western Siberia, and also in the Caucasus. The plant usually grows approx. residential buildings, on the edges of forests, in meadows, fields and valleys, as well as along river banks.
Plant composition
Soapwort root is used in folk medicine, as well as in everyday life. On this moment There are 9 known varieties of this plant. Soapwort can be wild or cultivated. The root of this plant has healing qualities. It is usually used to prepare medicines. Red contains vitamins D, C, B and A, saponazides, triterpene saponins. In some cases, the ground part of the soapwort is also used. As for the green part of the plant, they contain ascorbic acid, the glycoside saponarin and saponaroside.
Some components foam well. Because of this, soapwort roots are called soap roots. They are often used for washing woolen products, as well as for bathing animals. In addition, soapwort has choleretic, diuretic and diaphoretic effects. It can also be used for constipation as a laxative.
Application in medicine
How is soapwort used in medicine? A photo of this plant allows you to accurately imagine it appearance and do not make mistakes when collecting. However, it is better not to risk it and purchase the herb at the pharmacy. What properties does this plant have?
Soapwort contains a lot of ascorbic acid, as well as saponins and glycosides. Thanks to these components, products based on this plant are often used for severe cough and bronchitis. In addition, soapwort has a laxative and diuretic effect. It is often added to various fees, intended for blood purification. The herb is often used to prepare diaphoretics.
The plant is suitable for the treatment of certain diseases respiratory tract, jaundice, metabolic disorders and joint pain. Usually soapwort is used in the form of decoctions and infusions, which are quite easy to prepare. A preparation from the roots is used to treat diseases of the liver and spleen.
As for the method of use, the herb soapwort is used to prepare lotions, ointments, powder and bath solution. Such products are used to treat skin rashes, dermatitis, furunculosis, eczema and scabies. Also, preparations based on this plant can be used by those who cannot overcome scaly lichen.
Decoction from the roots of the plant
This drug is used for certain liver diseases, as well as for eczema. Preparing a decoction of soapwort roots is very simple. To do this, take 10 grams of prepared raw materials, chop the roots and pour boiling water over them. This amount of plant requires 250 milliliters of liquid. You need to cook the product over a fire for five minutes after boiling. The prepared root decoction should be strained.
Soapwort tea
To prepare such a product you only need a teaspoon of raw materials. To do this, you can use not only soapwort roots, but also grass. This amount of the plant should be poured into one glass of boiling water. In this form, the product should stand for three hours. After the drug has infused, it is necessary to pour more water into it, preferably boiled, to obtain the original volume.
You should take this tea several glasses a day if you have a severe cough. You can also add chamomile decoction to the resulting preparation. Ready solution can be used for wraps and compresses.
Medicine for bloating and nausea
Soapwort is often used to combat bloating and nausea. To prepare the drug you will need a mixture of herbs. The collection includes 5 grams of soapwort roots, 10 grams of St. John's wort and 3 grams of celandine. All components should be crushed and mixed. A tablespoon of the resulting mass should be brewed with a glass of boiling water. The product should sit for about half an hour. After this, the drug should be strained.
Soapwort infusion
IN alternative medicine Soapwort roots are used to prepare a drug that will help get rid of increased gas formation. Decoctions and infusions from this plant can cure gout and rheumatism. In addition, drugs of this type are used to combat certain skin ailments: furunculosis, scaly lichen, eczema, and so on.
To prepare an infusion for these diseases, you need to brew a teaspoon of soapwort roots, pre-crushed, with a glass of boiling water. This medicine should be infused for 4 hours. Recommended consumption ready-made composition no more than three times a day, preferably before meals. The dosage should not exceed 2 tablespoons.
Description.
Soapwort grass is a flower, also otherwise called soapwort (soapwort officinalis) and all this is a herbaceous perennial medicinal plant 30-90 cm high. Soapwort belongs to the carnation family. The rhizome of the plant has long thin roots, knotty, red-brown, creeping. The stem of the plant is short-haired, round, straight, glabrous. The leaves of the soapwort are narrowed at the base into a short petiole, elliptical or elongated, opposite. The flowers of medicinal soapwort are collected in corymbose-paniculate inflorescences, bisexual, regular, pale pink or white. Fetus medicinal plant- box. Soap grass blooms in June - September. You can learn more about the plant from the article “Soapwort grass - flower, photo, description, use, contraindications.”
Spreading.
Soap grass is common in the south Far East, in the Caucasus, Western Siberia, in middle lane European part of Russia. Medicinal soap grass grows among bushes, along river valleys, in flood meadows, and along forest edges.
Preparation.
For medicinal purposes of traditional medicine in early spring or in the fall they store the rhizomes of the soapwort grass with roots. They are dug up, the above-ground parts are removed, rinsed in cold water and cut into pieces. Soapwort rhizomes with roots are dried in dryers at temperatures up to 50 C or at outdoors, spread out in a thin layer.
Soapwort - photo.
Chemical composition.
Ascorbic acid, the glycoside saponarin, and the triterpene saponin saponaroside were found in the leaves of Soapwort officinalis. The roots and rhizomes of soap grass contain triterpene acid and saponins.
Pharmacological properties.
In folk medicine medicinal herb soapwort is in demand because its preparations have diuretic, expectorant, choleretic and diaphoretic effects.
Application.
An infusion of soapwort rhizomes is used in folk medicine for bronchial dry cough, respiratory diseases, jaundice and general intoxication of the body.
An infusion of leaves and roots is prescribed for furunculosis, skin rashes, metabolic disorders, gout, rheumatism, exudative diathesis, and joint pain.
A decoction of soapwort root is desirable for use in diseases of the gallbladder, liver, spleen and kidneys.
Externally, an infusion of rhizomes is used in folk medicine in the form of lotions in the treatment of scabies, baths, purulent wounds, eczema, skin rashes, dermatitis, and furunculosis.
Medicines in folk medicine.
Infusion of soapwort roots.
Brew 1 teaspoon of soapwort roots with 1 glass of boiling water, leave until cool. Then filter and squeeze. Drink 3-4 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon.
Infusion of soapwort roots as a choleretic agent.
Pour 1 teaspoon of soapwort roots over 1 cup of boiled water warm water. Continue to steep for 8 hours, then strain. Drink after meals 3-4 times a day, 1-2 tbsp. spoons.
A decoction of soapwort rhizomes for liver diseases and eczema.
Brew 20 g of raw material with half a liter of boiling water, simmer for 5 minutes over low heat, filter. Drink half a glass three times a day. A decoction of the rhizomes of soap grass can be used to gargle a sore throat.
Folk medicine - medicinal soapwort herb: contraindications.
An overdose of soapwort preparations can lead to disorder gastrointestinal tract, stomach pain, vomiting.
Soapwort - popular in gardening ornamental plant. It is grown to decorate borders, flower beds and other rocky landscape forms. Varieties of this plant are unpretentious to growing conditions in open ground, but have some peculiarities in planting and care.
Description: varieties and varieties of crops
Soapwort or saponaria got its name from the roots from which soap is made. The plant belongs to the Clove family. In the wild, it grows on rocky mountain slopes.
In Russia, two types of soapwort, which are cultivated in open ground, have become widespread:
- basilicofolia;
- medicinal.
Medicinal species of saponaria refers to perennials. It has excellent decorative characteristics:
- height - 90 cm;
- leaves - 4–12 cm, lanceolate;
- stems are green or green-red;
- flowers - pure white or with a pinkish tint, of 5 petals collected in the shape of a star;
- flower cup - goblet-shaped;
Soapwort officinalis
- flower size - large: 2.5 cm in diameter;
- flowers are collected in paniculate corymbose inflorescences.
Attention! Medicinal soapwort blooms from July to September. Life cycle each flower - three days. The plant is very fragrant, especially with the onset of evening coolness.
Basilicofolia saponaria- evergreen herbaceous plant. During flowering it looks like a lush and compact pillow. Decorates any, even rocky landscape:
- height - 40 cm in nature, but on home plot form bushes up to 10–20 cm;
- stems are branched and creeping, with a slight reddish tint;
- leaves - lanceolate, medium-sized;
Basilifolia soapwort
- flowers consist of 5 petals, weakly fragrant;
- color - red or pink, sometimes pale shades;
Attention! At proper care This type of saponaria grows quickly. Flowering occurs in 2 stages: in May-June and late August. During these periods, the tops of the plant’s branches are abundantly covered with inflorescences, which look beautiful in person and in photos.
Planting a plant at home
Growing any type of saponaria is possible only in an open, sunny area. As a last resort - in partial shade. The soil should be slightly alkaline or neutral. Not necessarily fertile, but loose and light. Otherwise, the accumulation of moisture at the roots will cause them to rot.
Planting methods:
Saponaria care
During cultivation, this plant does not require watering. It doesn't like excess water. Culture needs moderate watering, with an increase in the dose of moisture during drought. Saponaria care is a combination of loosening the soil and weed control. Removing faded inflorescences stimulates the plant to bloom again, albeit less luxuriantly. In autumn the plant is pruned: medicinal type- 1/3, basilica - up to a height of 5 cm.
Advice. The soil around the plant is sometimes covered with a thin layer of gravel, crushed stone or expanded clay. This helps in the fight against weed grass and emphasizes the beauty of flowering. In cold weather, the plant does not need watering.
Fertilizer and feeding of soapwort
When caring for saponaria, it is not necessary to apply fertilizers. The main thing is to monitor the density of the soil. If your site has heavy clay soil, add compost mixed with sand to the soil in the spring.
Some gardeners feed the plant 1-2 times a year mineral fertilizers. Soapwort responds positively to fertilizing with phosphorus before the start of the growing season, after the snow melts.
Advice. Before planting the plant, fertilizing the soil with calcium will be effective.
Plant transplantation and propagation
In one place, with proper care, saponaria grows for no more than 8 years. Then it needs to be transplanted. In October-November, carefully remove the plant from the ridge and plant it in a new place. Reproduction occurs by seeds, cuttings and division of an adult bush.
Soapwort can grow in one place for many years
Some gardeners consider division to be a mandatory growing procedure. It should be performed annually in the spring. After all, the plant can grow greatly over the course of a season. To divide the bush, carefully cut it with a shovel in a vertical plane.
It is not difficult to obtain seeds for propagating the crop. They appear in ovoid capsules after flowering. Dry them after harvesting, and in the spring plant them under seedlings or directly on fresh air. The seeds can sprout on their own by falling to the ground next to the flower.
Advice. To get a cutting, cut off the top of the branch and remove the lower leaves.
Diseases and pests of saponaria
Decorative culture is resistant to many negative factors. For example, it almost never freezes in open ground without shelter. The critical temperature for it is -21°C. But in snowless winters it is better to insulate the plant.
Among the pests, the flower may be favored by the garden cutworm. Her caterpillar is gray, with a red or yellow tint. A medium-sized butterfly with dark brown forewings is active in the first half of summer. Most effective method plant care in this case - manual collection pests
Attention! Spots may appear on saponaria leaves. Spray the plant with Fundazol or 1% Bordeaux mixture.
Saponaria: combination with other plants in the garden
Soapwort is widely used in group decorative plantings. Looks good in composition with salvia, sage, edelweiss. Harmonious with sunflower, jasmine, saxifrage. The combination with saponaria shades taller flowers and covers the soil at their base.
Soapwort in landscape design