About

Physostegia virginiana, the obedient plant, is a herbaceous perennial to 1 m with erect, square stems bearing lance-shaped, toothed leaves. Tubular, purple to pink (occasionally white) flowers held in short, upright spikes are produced from midsummer to early autumn. The common name refers to the individual blooms, which can be repositioned on their stalks and will remain in place. The flowers are excellent for cutting. A rewarding and reliable plant for a sunny or partly shaded, moist border.

About the genus

Physostegia, the obedient plants, are erect, rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with neatly arranged pairs of toothed leaves and terminal racemes of two-lipped, tubular flowers in summer. Excellent plants for moist borders and useful as cut flowers.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toNorth America

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningCut back old stems in winter
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by division in early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal and bacterial rots
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