About
Physostegia 'Summer Snow' is an erect, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the genus Physostegia that produces upright racemes of tubular summer flowers. It shares the genus's affinity for damp, sunny sites and can reach up to 2 m tall. Flowering takes place from July to September. Plants spread by their rhizomes and readily form clumps in suitable conditions.
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 'Summer Snow' belongs to the genus Physostegia in the mint family Lamiaceae and, as with its congeners, traces its wild origins to North America. The plants are herbaceous and rhizomatous, producing erect flower racemes in the summer months and commonly reaching around 2 m at maturity where conditions suit. Place Physostegia 'Summer Snow' in a sunny, moisture-retentive spot; the genus is adapted to damp, sunny places so a moist border, damp meadow, or the edge of a water feature suits it best. Light, well worked soil that holds moisture without waterlogging will help establish vigorous clumps. Allow room for spread when planting and divide congested clumps in spring or autumn to keep vigour and control expansion. Flowering occurs from July to September, giving late-summer impact towards the back of a perennial border or in informal, naturalistic schemes. Cut back dead flower stems after bloom to tidy the plant and encourage fresh growth. As the Latin-derived genus name suggests, the calyx commonly becomes rounded as the fruit develops, a useful indicator that seed has set and division might be delayed until after seed dispersal.
More in the Physostegia genus
- Physostegia 'Vivid'
- Physostegia virginianaobedient plant
- Physostegia virginiana speciosa 'Rose Bouquet'Obedient Plant
- Physostegia 'Alba'White Obedient Plant