The MGS Forum
Plants for mediterranean gardens => Perennials => Topic started by: JTh on November 01, 2017, 01:23:13 PM
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Has anybody tried to grow Saponaria officinalis? A few weeks ago I saw lots of this plant in bloom in some shady areas, almost like a carpet. I thought it was very attractive and I gathered some seeds. All the flowers I have seen in this part of Greece (Halkidiki) were white.
There is only one brief mentioning of this here (http://www.mgsforum.org/smf/index.php?topic=2368.msg17380#msg17380) by Hillary and I would like to hear if anybody else has an experience with this plant.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4494/37377515064_43b56c8904.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/YWVx1U)
PA057711.jpg Saponaria officinalis (https://flic.kr/p/YWVx1U) by Jorun Tharaldsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/46063510@N03/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4508/24234154918_c1cfb647f3.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CVunXd)
PA057715.jpg Saponaria officinalis leaves (https://flic.kr/p/CVunXd) by Jorun Tharaldsen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/46063510@N03/), on Flickr
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This grows along the edges of fields used for growing tobacco in our area although the flowers are always pink. I have always thought it appeared because of the constant irrigation used in the cultivation of tobacco which makes the ditches alongside the fields moist throughout the summer and a rich source of varied plantlife.
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We saw a big patch just outside the village of Taxiarchis in northern Greece (on the July lily trip) - wonderful scent. Like John, I thought of it as a garden plant, though this roadside patch seemed cooler and damper than we'd manage in southern Greece. These were pink, too.
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Those I saw were mostly near the banks of a small river, it was quite dry where they were growing, but I thought they may need some moisture. Then I read on several internet sites that it is drought-tolerant, which makes it quite interesting. Those i found near us where not as tall as those in your photo, Alisdair, the leaves were very attractive. Maybe I should give it a try, I have plenty of seeds.