(Physostegia virginiana ‘Obedient Plant’)

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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!

  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Crop Care
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Companion Planting
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​​Family: Lamiaceae

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.
Obedient  plant can be started from seed, about 2 months before planting out. Fall plant or cold stratify at 40F for 1 month for best results. Sow seeds just below the soil surface at 70F and water.
Obedient plants are easily established and very drought tolerant, forgiving plants. Although they prefer a moist, slightly acidic soil (5.5 - 6.3 pH), they’ll grow just fine in average - poor soil and spreading will be less of a problem. Transplant outdoors before the last frost or at the beginning of autumn. Spacing 12 to 24 inches

Don’t fertilizer your obedient plants, unless they show signs of nutrient deficiencies.
The biggest maintenance chore is keeping obedient plant from rampant spreading. Although the plants pull out easily enough, they seem to pop up everywhere. If you’re tempted to wait and let them flower, be sure to get out there before they go to seed.

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.
 Cut to ground after bloom; divide every two years to keep plants in bounds.
​Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds.
​Try pairing with Yarrow, Balloon Flowers, and Cape Fuchsia.

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!
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(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!
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