Physostegia

This is a small group of herbaceous perennials native to North America. They are commonly known as False Dragonhead and Obedient Plant. They are called Obedient Plants because the individual flowers have hinged stalks and when moved remain where placed. P. virginiana speciosa 'Variegata' is an erect-growing plant with lance-shaped or elliptic, toothed leaves that are green edged with white. The tubular, hooded, purplish-pink flowers are produced in upright spikes, in late summer. This plant grows 3 or 4 feet high and spreads 2 feet or more. P. virginiana 'Vivid' grows 1 or 2 feet high and wide. Its leaves are medium green and in late summer, spikes of 2-lipped, hooded, dark lilac-pink flowers are produced. The flowers of these plants are great for cutting.

Pot Cultivation

Grow Obedient Plants in moist, humus-rich, fertile soil, in full sun. If the soil has an excess of clay or sand, add an abundance of organic matter. Space the plants a foot apart and water liberally in dry weather.

Propagation

These plants may be divided in the spring.

P. virginiana

VARIETIES

P. virginiana & var. speciosa, speciosa variegata, alba, Vivid.