(Physostegia virginiana ‘Obedient Plant’)
Obedient Plant is a beautiful perennial flower that grows naturally in prairies, meadows, and along railroads and streams throughout the central and eastern regions of the United States. When fully grown, this plant can reach heights between 2-4 feet and boasts upright stem spikes, sharp-toothed lance-shaped leaves that measure 3-6 inches, and delicate pink two-lipped tubular flowers. It can be grown in pots and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Interestingly, this plant is deer-resistant, self-sows, and can be used as a cut flower!
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General Information
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Germination
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Seedlings
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Crop Care
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Companion Planting
Genus: Physostegia
Species: virginiana
Variety: Obedient Plant
Also Known As: False Dragonhead
Native to: Alabama, Alberta, Arkansas, British Columbia, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Labrador, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwest Territory, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Yukon.
Introduced into: Great Britain.
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): June to September
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade. Stems tend to flop if it gets too much shade or hot summer temperatures.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Tolerates wet soil.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attracts Bees & Butterflies, Hummingbirds, as well as being resistant to deer.
Containers?: Yes. This species is an aggressive spreader in the landscape by both rhizomes and self-seeding.
Height: 36-60”
Spacing: 15-24”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Zone: 3a-10b
Produces: upright stem spikes, 3-6” sharp-toothed lance-shaped leaves, and pink two-lipped tubular flowers.
Don’t fertilizer your obedient plants, unless they show signs of nutrient deficiencies.
Long season gardeners can get a second flush of blooms if you deadhead the first flowers. This will also cut down on the self-seeding.
Wait until spring to cut back old foliage. Leave it on the plants to act as a protective winter mulch.
Suggested Varieties
(Achillea millefolium 'Rubra')
Red Yarrow is a native mat-forming perennial that can be commonly found growing along roadways and in fields and lawns throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features erect stems, medium green fern-like foliage, and clusters of red flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, repels beetles, and flies, the leaves are burned to repel mosquitoes, is used as a compost activator, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, dye, essential oil, and liquid plant food, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
(Achillea millefolium 'White')
White Yarrow is a native mat-forming perennial that can be commonly found growing along roadways and in fields and lawns throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features erect stems, medium green fern-like foliage, and clusters of white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, repels beetles, and flies, the leaves are burned to repel mosquitoes, is used as a compost activator, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, dye, essential oil, and liquid plant food, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!