Digging deeperPlant Library

Max Frei Soapwort flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Rock Soapwort

Description:

An excellent plant for rock gardens and xeriscapes with loose cymes of large, rich rose-pink flowers in mid-summer; deep red stems and calyces contribute greatly to the effect; superior plant for rock gardens and screes

Ornamental Features

Max Frei Soapwort is covered in stunning cymes of rose star-shaped flowers with brick red calyces at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Max Frei Soapwort is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Max Frei Soapwort is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Max Frei Soapwort will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.