Saponaria officinalis Graciella White | Soapwort

Saponaria officinalis Graciella White | Soapwort

A Fragrant, Long-Blooming Perennial for Every Garden!

Saponaria officinalis Graciella White, also known as Soapwort, is a beautiful perennial plant that produces delicate, pure white flowers with a soft, jasmine-like fragrance. This variety blooms from mid-summer to early autumn, covering the plant with airy clusters of blossoms. Its lush, dark green foliage creates a stunning contrast, making it an excellent choice for wildflower gardens, cottage borders, pollinator-friendly landscapes, and container planting.

Key Features

• Plant Type: Perennial (blooms in the first year if sown early)
• Foliage: Deciduous, dark green
• Flower Color: Pure white
• Blooming Season: Mid-summer to early autumn
• Plant Height: 45-60 cm
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Days to Maturity: 90-100 days
• Plant Spacing: 23 cm
• Pinching: Not necessary
• Uses: Wildflower meadows, cut flowers, scented gardens, container planting

Sowing Instructions

• Best Sowing Time: Autumn or early spring for the earliest blooms.
• Outdoor Sowing: Directly sow in moist, well-drained soil in a cold frame or garden bed. The natural winter cold helps break seed dormancy, leading to spring germination.
• Indoor Sowing: Surface sow onto moist compost and maintain a temperature of 16–18°C for 2–4 weeks. Then, cold stratify at -4 to +4°C (refrigeration is ideal) for 4–6 weeks. Return to 5–12°C for final germination.
• Transplanting: Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions and plant out once the risk of frost has passed.

Growing Instructions

• Soil: Prefers neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil.
• Watering: Moderate; once established, the plant is drought-tolerant.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun for optimal flowering.
• Container-Friendly: Perfect for patios, balconies, and decorative garden pots.

Care Instructions

• Pruning: No pruning required; retains a natural, elegant shape.
• Self-Seeding: If left uncut, the plant self-seeds, creating a naturalized effect.
• Propagation: Can be propagated through seeds or softwood cuttings.

Why Choose Saponaria officinalis ‘Graciella White’?

• Delightful Fragrance: Emits a gentle, jasmine-like scent.
• Early Flowering: Blooms in the first year if sown early.
• Long-Lasting Blooms: Flowers mid-summer to autumn.
• Excellent Cut Flower: Ideal for bouquets and floral arrangements.
• Low Maintenance: A perfect choice for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.