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 December
1999
 Ruellia
'Black Beauty'
November
1999
Daphne
arbuscula
October
1999
Tulipa
schrenkii
September
1999
Machaeranthera
colorodoensis
August
1999
Veronica
spicata nana
July
1999
Campanula
garganica
 June
1999
Saponaria
X Olivana
May
1999
Phlox
bifida
April
1999
Aethionema
oppositifolium
March
1999
Cyclamen
coum
February
1999
Moneses
uniflora
January
1999
Eritrichum
nanum
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2003
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2002
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2001
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2000
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1998
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1997
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Plant
of the Month
June
1999
Saponaria
X Olivana
by Iza Goroff
Saponaria
X Olivana is reputedly a garden hybrid of S.
caespitosa and S.
pumilio. Saponaria is a genus in the
Caryophyllaceae, a family which also includes dianthus and
arenaria. The genus Saponaria is native to Eurasia,
inhabiting mostly acid soil regions, unlike its close
relative dianthus, which is found more frequently in
limestone areas.
Saponaria
X Olivana is a wonderful rock garden plant. Out of
bloom the plant is only 3-5 cm (1-2") tall and up to 20 cm
(8") across, a cushion of fresh green. The flowering pattern
is unusual in all but close relatives: the outer ring of
buds open first. Its flowers are a clean pink, about 2 cm
(3/4") across. It blooms in late Spring.
Although
most saponarias are from acid areas, in cultivation they
prosper in almost any gritty, well drained soil. They all
require sun. S. X Olivana
is hardy to at least -35 F (-38 C).
Other
saponarias worthy of growing in the rock garden include S.
pulvinaris, S.
pumilio, and S.
'Bressingham's Hybrid'. Promising new species
are being introduced from Turkey.
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