About
This herbaceous perennial to 75cm tall, with erect, square stems bearing lance-shaped, toothed leaves. From midsummer to early autumn it produces pale, lilac-pink, tubular flowers held in short, upright spikes; the flowers are good for cutting. The common name refers to individual blooms, which will stay in position if moved around on their stalks.
About the genus
Physostegia are erect rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with neatly arranged pairs of toothed leaves and terminal racemes of 2-lipped, tubular flowers in summer
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
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