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Alpine RockeryHerbaceous Perennial

Saponaria pumilio Boiss.

A very compact, rhizomatous alpine perennial to around only 5cm in height, forming a cushion of small, thin, almost pine-needle shaped dark green foliage. Clusters of crimson-red to pale purple, rarely white flowers appear on the tips of the stems from late summer well into autumn

Synonyms

Saponaria pulvinaris

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Saponaria can be annuals or perennials, with opposite, entire leaves and small clusters of pink or purple flowers in summer
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Tolerates poor soils

Propagation

Propagate by seeds in spring, sown indoors in loamy compost, barely covering the seed, with a temperature of 13-18°C. Cuttings can be taken in late summer, or divide in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Patio and container plants
Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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