Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), "Rosy Spire" variety (lavender-pink flowers)



Also known as false dragonhead, obedience

Plant Type: rhizomatous herbaceous perennial flower

Plant Family: mint (Lamiaceae)


Available for purchase:

Etsy

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Visual Identification: Erect tap-rooted perennial with sturdy unbranched square stems. Lance-shaped leaves are topped in late summer and early fall by spikey lavender or pink inflorescences. The individual florets are tubular and similar to snapdragon blossoms.

Native Region(s): North America, from Quebec to Manitoba south to Florida and New Mexico

Landscape Use: Good for adding late-season flowers to a garden. Borders, cottage gardens, rain gardens, wild gardens, prairies or meadows, and the edges of ponds where the soil is moist but not water-logged. If you are concerned about its aggressive ability to spread, consider container plantings instead. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees. Deer-resistant.

Height: 3-4 feet

Spread: 2-3 feet

Spacing: 18-24 inches

Hardiness Zones: 3-9. Some sources include zones 2 and 10.

Hardy Down To: -40° F

Climate Zones: prefers hot, dry regions with a temperature of 60-80°F

Light: full sun, tolerates part shade. Stalks may flop over in shadier areas.

Water: Water once or twice a week once established. If the leaves are drooping, the plant needs watering and may need partial shade. During drought, the lower leaves may turn yellow and defoliate. Avoid watering in winter.

Soil: Prefers moist, loamy, acidic (5.5 to 6.3 pH), well-draining fertile soil. Will tolerate wet or clay soils. Drought tolerant. Obedient plant will grow more aggressively in moist, rich soil.

Maintenance: May require staking and/or pruning. Deadheading will promote further blooming. Thin every other year: plants will thin out in the center and can take on an open, floppy form, telling you it's time to divide them. Wait until spring to cut back old foliage. Leave it on the plants to act as a protective winter mulch.

Fertilize: 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer once per month in spring, summer, and fall. Don't fertilize unless the plant is showing nutrient deficiencies.

Seasons of Interest: blooms from late summer to fall, until the first frost

Floral Arrangement Uses: cut flowers

Toxicity: non-toxic to pets and humans

Additional Resources:


🌱

𝗠𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗺𝘆, 𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗰, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹.
Tolerant of wet, clay soils. Potting Mix Recipe: 2 parts peat moss or coco coir, 2 parts compost, 1-2 parts perlite

🌤️

𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗻.
Tolerates part shade.

🌡️

𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.
Ideal blooming temps are 60-80°F. Cold hardy in-ground to -40° F.

💧

𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀.
Water once or twice a week once established. If the leaves are drooping, the plant needs watering and may need partial shade. Drought tolerant.

☠️

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀.
Safe, but tastes terrible. Deer-resistant.







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