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Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: Seed is poisonous if ingested Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Soil pH requirements: 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing the rootball From softwood cuttings From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
On May 12, 2009, green_green from Terrebonne, OR wrote:
I have lots of soapwort and can not get rid of it. It's very invasive. I'd like to know how to get rid of it as it has taken over the entire flower bed. If you want some-let me know and I will send it to you.
On Jan 28, 2009, DonnaMack from Grayslake, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:
This can be a wonderful plant but you have to watch it. I put it near other assetive plants, in my case the white version, which is stunning, next to well established myrica pennsylvanica (northern bayberries) and anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', and they fight to a draw. I also use the pink version in my peony beds but once a month I go out with a shovel and cut around it in a circular pattern to sever creepers. It has a great scent, and if you cut it back it blooms repeatedly, but you cannot plant it and forget it.
On Apr 20, 2008, MaryE from Baker City, OR (Zone 5b) wrote:
This plant was well established when we moved here. I can't get rid of it. When pulled or dug, there are always root pieces that start new plants, and since I don't use herbicides, I can only hope to keep the population down to reasonable levels. It is pretty but I would never plant it on purpose.
On Jul 8, 2007, tindal from Colorado Springs, CO wrote:
I PLANTED SIX SOAPWORT PLANTS LAST SUMMER, 2006, AND OF THIS DATE, JULY 7--07, ONLY TWO BLOOMED. WHAT COULD BE THE REASON? THEY ARE ALL IN A ROW ALONG A BORDER. THANKS.
On Jun 9, 2007, WMorrissey from Silver Lake, MN wrote:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the flowers of Bouncing Bet are so fragrant! All the descriptions of problems are true -- and then some! -- but I put up with them all for the long bloom time (a month or more here in southern MN) and lovely scent. If I deadhead after blooming, they'll sometimes rebloom -- and that helps with the sprawling and burning problems as well. They ARE invasive. Plant them only where you don't mind them taking over... Mine are near the mailbox (where I can smell them every time I stop for the mail) surrounded by lawn. They try to pop up in the lawn but are easy to pull. They've also come up in the gravel road, which I actually don't mind so much!
On Oct 15, 2006, Lady_fern from Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:
Good cut flower.
Very permanent: new plants grow from sections of root left in soil.
Tolerates poor conditions. Two are thriving under a maple tree. To cover up the flat center, either plant several together or surround with plants that will cover that up.
On Jun 29, 2006, sterhill from Atlanta, GA (Zone 7b) wrote:
I tried full sun in Atlanta and it burned - I moved it to a bit more shade and now it sprawls out leaving the center of the plant flat and unattractive. I've tried to "fluff it up" but it does not stay. I'll give it a while more before I pull it out.
On Mar 10, 2001, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:
This is an old time cottage flower; it likes full sun for best growth. Pink flowers appear early summer to early fall. As the name implies, a lather can be produced from the foliage of this plant.
The name Bouncing Bet is an old fashioned name for a wash woman. Plant is mildly toxic (although used in Germany to give beer a foamier head.)
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Calistoga, California Templeton, California Creede, Colorado Cordele, Georgia Monroe, Georgia Grayslake, Illinois Morris, Illinois Rockford, Illinois Washington, Illinois Jeffersonville, Indiana Lake Charles, Louisiana Lisbon, Maine Minneapolis, Minnesota Silver Lake, Minnesota Maben, Mississippi Cole Camp, Missouri Saint Louis, Missouri Scottsbluff, Nebraska Plainfield, New Jersey Lansing, New York Sherman, New York Franklin, North Carolina Thackerville, Oklahoma Baker City, Oregon Portland, Oregon Terrebonne, Oregon Millersburg, Pennsylvania Conway, South Carolina Crossville, Tennessee Azle, Texas Burleson, Texas Colleyville, Texas Desoto, Texas Gladewater, Texas Palmyra, Virginia Lynnwood, Washington Casper, Wyoming