SAPONARIA

These European natives are generally low, spreading plants that are useful as ground covers or in rock gardens. Best in lean, very well-drained soil.

• Handsome blue-green leaves to 12 inches long form a mat 8 inches tall, 112 feet wide.
• Large clusters of bright pink, inch-wide flowers virtually smother the foliage for weeks in midsummer.
• Max Frei has soft pink blooms.

• Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
• Trailing habit to 1 feet high and 3 feet across.
• Dark green, oval, 12 inches-long leaves.
• In spring, plants are covered with 14 inches pink flowers in loose bunches shaped much like those of phlox.
• Looks especially nice cascading over a wall.
• Selections include white 'Alba' and deep pink 'Rubra Compacta'.

• Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
• Grows to 2 feet tall, spreading wider by underground runners.
• Can be invasive in rich, moist soil.
• Dark green, oval, pointed leaves to 4 inches long; loose clusters of inch-wide red, pink, or white flowers in midsummer.
• When crushed in water, roots produce a sudsy, detergentlike lather.
• This is one tough plant; before the days of herbicides, it could be seen growing in the cinders along railroad rights-of-way.
• The selection 'Rosea Plena', with double light pink flowers, is the common garden form.
• Rubra Plena has crimson blooms that turn paler as they age.

• Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
• Tiny, dark green leaves form a compact cushion spreading to 24 inches tall, 8 inches wide.
• In early summer, the foliage mound is covered with short-stemmed pink blooms to 34 inches across.