Saponaria is a member of the China Pink or Dianthus family and have a similar wonderful fragrance. It is a European native and will naturalize throughout your area, but non-invasively. It is nice for an area where you want a ground cover but have had difficulty in getting things to grow in that area due to dryness. Because of it’s scent and long bloom time, planting near a door, window or patio where you might be able to enjoy the fragrance would be very nice. It does spread by rhizome, but is easily controlled.
Soapwort was introduced into the US during the 1600 Colonial period, when Europeans were settling. The sap from it’s roots and stems were mixed with water to form a lathery soap, which is why it is called Soapwort or Latherwort. “Bouncing bet” which is short for Bess, is an old term from England which means washerwoman.
