Physostegia virginiana
obedient plant
An herbaceous perennial to 1m tall, with erect, square stems bearing lance-shaped, toothed leaves. From midsummer to early autumn it produces purple to pink (occasionally white) 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
Other common names
accommodation flowerAmerican heather
see morelady of the lake
lion's heart
lion's mouth
Mexican heath
obedient flower
pink shellflower
St Margaret's flower
toad's mouth
Virginian false dragon's head
Synonyms
Dracocephalum virginicum
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink Purple White | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Physostegia are erect rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with neatly arranged pairs of toothed leaves and terminal racemes of 2-lipped, tubular flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back old stems in winter
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal and bacterial rots
Get involved
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