Physostegia 'Alba' (White Obedient Plant) — perennial

Overview

Physostegia 'Alba' is a perennial in the genus Physostegia, part of the Q53476 family. Physostegia 'Alba' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loamy and well-drained soils and neutral and slightly acidic pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and containers.

About

Physostegia 'Alba' is a perennial selection of Physostegia valued for its white summer blooms from July to September. It favours full sun or partial shade and a moist, loamy, well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Classified as H5, it is considered hardy in most UK gardens. It is commonly grown for borders, containers and as a source of cut flowers.

About the genus

Physostegia, the lionshearts or false dragonheads, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, native to North America. They are erect rhizomatous herbaceous perennials inhabiting damp, sunny places.

In the garden

Physostegia 'Alba' is a perennial in the genus Physostegia grown for its white flowers over the summer months (July to September). The cultivar name and common name indicate the white-flowered form, and its season-long display makes it useful where continuous summer blooms are wanted. Locate the plant in full sun or partial shade and provide a loamy, well-drained soil that remains reliably moist and leans neutral to slightly acidic in reaction. The H5 rating denotes that it is hardy in most UK gardens; plant at a similar level to surrounding soil and avoid sites that dry out completely. Regular watering in dry spells helps maintain flowering without altering soil structure. Use Physostegia 'Alba' at the rear of mixed borders where upright flowering stems can be seen, in containers on a sunlit patio provided the medium retains moisture, or harvested as cut flowers for vases. Because it flowers from July through September, it offers a dependable source of stems for summer bouquets and late-summer displays.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Physostegia

Sunlight: full sun, partial shade
Soil type: loamy, well-drained
Soil pH: neutral, slightly acidic
Soil moisture: moist
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Physostegia 'Alba' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial
Suggested uses: borders, cut flowers, containers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Physostegia 'Alba'

Cultivation: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage blooming.
Pruning: Cut back after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
Propagation: division,cuttings