Saponaria officinalis or Soapwort has many attractive and aromatic flowers and can be used as a ground cover.
It will succeed in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade.
Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil.
The fragrant flowers have five white to pinkish or red showy petals and soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant in water, but especially the root.
It is a gentle effective cleaner, used on delicate fabrics that can be harmed by synthetic soaps.
The best soap is obtained by infusing the plant in warm water.
Soapwort is sometimes recommended as a hair shampoo, though it can cause eye irritations.
In the past, it was used as a medicinal herb for treating gout, rheumatism, eczema, cold sores, boils, and acne.
It looks nice in cottage style, informal and perennial gardens and also does well in containers too.