Saponaria Officinalis -Soap Wort- MOTH HOST PLANT! – 2 litre pot

I really want to promote this wonderful plant mainly because it is beneficial for Moths.  It is great for all our Pollinators but Moths are such a neglected species that I think thy deserve more attention.

Flowers are very romantic in their “wandering” habit produced in late spring, they wind their way around the border and other plants giving such a soft pink theme at 60cm.  They are NO TROUBLE AT ALL! they require no special treatment and cuttings can be taken if you do not want to try seed, which they produce in abundance.

This plant is called many things; Bouncing Bet, Soap Wort, Wild Sweet William, the list goes on and on and has the substance saponin contained in the roots, so used to be used as soap or cleanser – it is such a delicate perfect component that we cannot replicate it – as it lathers when in contact with water and was used to clean sheeps wool, delicate fabric and even in painting restoration.

It has also be used in past times for skin restoration to deal with psoriasis and eczema.

This is a host plant for Moths including the white-lined Sphinx when the pale pink flowers open and give off a rather lovely fragrance. There is a cycle of releasing pollen on the second night of blooming and the stigma develops to its final position by the third night.

They are not neat and tidy and are relaxed in their habit, so they are fabulous for a natural or wild themed border.

This plant has been listed since 1753 and used since ancient times.