Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Caryophyllaceae

Genus:

Saponaria

Species:

Saponaria officinalis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

2-3 ft

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may, jun, sep

Bloom Colors:

pink, white

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to riverbanks and meadows