Saponaria is known as soapwort. They are hardy and robust sun-lovers, and give a long period of colour in summer. There are around 20 species of annuals and sometimes woody perennial sub-shrubs, both deciduous or evergreen in nature. Saponaria plants come from rocky places and alpine meadows in the mountains of Europe (especially southern Europe) and south-west Asia.

Both the mat-forming and taller clump-forming saponarias will spread, and they have small, narrow leaves. The creeping soapwort (also known as tumbling Ted or Saponaria ocymoides)  as opposed to the much larger, upright S. officinalis is outstanding for its bright pink flowers, which will attract bees and butterflies. Use it to flow around rocks, as ground cover, or allow it to trail over the sides of raised beds and dwarf walls. It can also be used in gaps in paved areas. Saponaria blooms from June, almost continuously, for months, and associates particularly well with silver foliage plants.

The taller Saponaria species can be planted in mixed or herbaceous borders, in a sunny spot, and with a well-drained soil. There are also some beautiful white- and double-flowered forms.

Why the name soapwort? This came about because of the Latin name Saponaria (sapo actually means soap). S. officinalis has been used in the making of soap and other cosmetics, as it contains saponin. A liquid soap, produced by steeping its leaves in water, is still by some conservators in the cleaning of delicate ancient tapestries.