Bulk discount!
Tumbling Ted
The charming Saponaria ocymoides, also known as tumbling Ted or basil soap-wort, is a delightful addition to any garden. This European native is known for its creeping growth habit and vibrant displays of pink blooms. Ideal for border and edge planting, Saponaria ocymoides creates a lush carpet of greenery and flowers throughout the warmer months.
With its ability to spread widely, tumbling Ted adds a touch of whimsy to garden landscapes, cascading beautifully over walls and through garden beds.
Saponaria ocymoides, commonly referred to as basil soap-wort, is a semi-evergreen species that brings a variety of attributes to the garden:
We would like to provide some tips on how to plant and care for a Pink flowering rock plants. By following these tips, you can be sure to enjoy your Pink flowering rock plants for a long time.
Saponaria ocymoides flourishes best in full sun to partial shade, where it can bask in the warmth and light to encourage its charming pink blooms. The ideal location should offer well-drained soil, as this species is adaptable to various soil types but does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. When considering placement, opt for a spot that will showcase its creeping, widespread growth habit, such as the edge of a border or as part of a group planting, where its mat-forming nature can be appreciated and allowed to cascade freely.
For successful cultivation, Saponaria ocymoides should be planted in well-drained soil, which can range from loamy to sandy compositions. The location should provide full sun to partial shade to encourage a profuse display of its charming pink blooms throughout the flowering months. While adaptable to various soil types, ensuring good drainage is crucial for the plant's health.
This species benefits from thorough watering immediately after planting to help establish its root system. Space individuals adequately to accommodate their creeping growth habit, allowing them to form a lush, low mat of green foliage that becomes a vibrant showcase of pink in the summer.
Pruning of Saponaria ocymoides should be carried out after the flowering period, typically in late summer or early autumn. This maintenance encourages a tidy growth habit and promotes denser foliage for the following season. Simply trim back the overextended stems to maintain the plant's sprawling, ground-covering form, being careful not to cut into the woody base. Regular pruning also helps to rejuvenate the plant, ensuring a robust display of pink blooms throughout its peak months.
To ensure the health and vitality of Saponaria ocymoides, adequate watering is essential. This species thrives when the soil is kept consistently moist, particularly during the active growth in the spring and summer months. The preferred method of watering is to submerge the pot in water, allowing the moisture to penetrate deeply and saturate the root zone. This approach promotes a robust root system, capable of supporting the plant's spreading habit. It is critical to use well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, which can be detrimental to the plant's health. Regular monitoring of soil moisture will result in a lush, flourishing display.
To support the thriving and lush mat of foliage, fertilizing this species is recommended at the onset of the growing season. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring can provide the necessary nutrients for the plant's initial burst of growth. It is advisable to use a product that continues to release nutrients over a period of three to four months, aligning with the plant's active growing phase.
As a creeping, widespread grower, it benefits from a uniform application of fertilizer spread evenly around its base, taking care not to concentrate the product on the foliage itself. This will encourage a robust display of pink blooms throughout the flowering months. No additional feeding is required during the rest of the year, as the plant is adapted to a range of soil types and conditions.
Saponaria ocymoides is a charming addition to rock gardens and cascading over stone walls, creating a visual delight with its vibrant pink blossoms. This species, renowned for its resilience, thrives in a range of soil conditions, from dry to moderately moist. Its dense mat of foliage remains attractive even when not in bloom, providing an excellent ground cover solution. Furthermore, Saponaria ocymoides can be a wonderful companion plant, blending harmoniously with other perennials.
Propagating Saponaria ocymoides effectively can be achieved by dividing the plant every few years to maintain its vigor. The division should take place in either spring or autumn. Carefully lift the plant from the soil, ensuring to preserve as much of the root system as possible. Once removed, separate the plant into smaller clumps, making sure each new section has a good amount of roots attached. Replant these divisions promptly into well-drained soil, spacing them adequately to accommodate their creeping, widespread growth habit. This will encourage a flush of healthy, new growth and abundant flowering in the following seasons.
Saponaria ocymoides typically grows up to 10 centimeters in height when fully mature.
Saponaria ocymoides will ultimately spread between 10 centimeters and 50 centimeters.
Saponaria ocymoides is well-suited to all soil types, provided that the soil is well-drained. Ensuring proper drainage is essential for the healthy growth of this plant.
Saponaria ocymoides thrives in locations with both sun and partial shade. It can be ideally placed in areas that receive direct sunlight as well as in spots where the sunlight is partially filtered. This plant is adaptable to varying light conditions, allowing for flexibility in its placement within a garden or landscape.
The blossoms of Saponaria ocymoides exhibit a lovely pink hue. This delicate colour adds a graceful touch to the appearance of the plant when it is in bloom.
Certainly, Saponaria ocymoides demonstrates winter hardiness with the ability to endure temperatures between -15.0°C to -9.4°C. This places it within the USDA hardiness zones 7b to 8a, indicating its suitability for withstanding winter conditions in these zones.
Saponaria ocymoides is not an evergreen plant. It is a deciduous plant that sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season and regrows them in the following spring.
Saponaria ocymoides is known for its relatively swift growth, typically reaching its full height within a period of two to five years. This indicates that it is a plant with a moderately rapid growth rate, demonstrating steady and consistent development over a few years.
If we are proud of anything at Heijnen Plants, it is our plant packaging. We have developed our own unique way of packaging our 9x9 cm potted plants. After years of continued development and research, we managed to create packaging that allows plants to be delivered to your home undamaged and quickly through a parcel service. This makes us unique!
Learn more
If you have ordered large-sized plants or trees, we deliver them on sealed pallets and place them around your house or driveway. The pallets are sturdy and provide optimal protection for large-sized plants.
We deliver small or medium-sized plants in boxes. The size of the box depends on the size of the plant. We always make sure that the plant has enough space but still stands firmly in the box, so it cannot be damaged during transport.
Saponaria ocymoides, commonly known as the charming rock soapwort, is an excellent choice for garden enthusiasts seeking a low-maintenance yet vibrant groundcover. This plant graces any landscape with a profusion of pink blossoms, creating a stunning display that captivates the senses and enhances the beauty of your outdoor space.
