Saponaria × lempergii 'Max Frei'

RHS Plant Profile
soapwort 'Max Frei'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Saponaria × lempergii 'Max Frei'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
soapwort 'Max Frei' RHS
Alpine Rockery
Thank you - your purchase supports our charity work Buy this from RHS Plants Shop
Buy online from £5.59Buy this from Plant Nurseries
8 Suppliers

A mat-forming semi-evergreen perennial, with grey-green foliage, reaching a height of 35cm. It displays five-petalled pink blooms throughout summer and autumn on hairy stems

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Saponaria can be annuals or perennials, with opposite, entire leaves and small clusters of pink or purple flowers in summer
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained sunny spot, in pH neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Ideal for the front of a sunny border

Propagation

Divide congested mats in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Trim lightly after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free, although slugs and snails are sometimes a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free