Bouncing Bet

A European plant which has naturalized throughout much of North America on roadsides. Brought to America in colonial times, colonialists mixed plant sap from the stems and roots with water to form a lathery soap, hence the common names of “soapwort” or “latherwort.” Bouncing bet (bet is short for Bess) is an old term from England which means “washerwoman.” Has fragrant, pale lilac flowers which butterflies love and deer do not. Be aware that this plant is an exuberant spreader!!