Physostegia virginiana 'Summer Snow'

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obedient plant 'Summer Snow'

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obedient plant 'Summer Snow' RHS 2002

Synonyms

Physostegia virginiana 'Snow Queen'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous, erect perennial to 60cm in height, with sharply toothed, lance-shaped leaves and dense spikes of tubular white flowers 3cm in length

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in winter or early spring before new growth starts

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back to the base in winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to rots if rhizomes become damaged