Physostegia (fie-so-STEE-gee-uh) Common Name:  Obedient plant, false dragonhead Light:  - Full sun to part shade Soil:  Average to loamy, well-drained Moisture:  Average Blooms:  Late summer Zones:  2 - 9

Physostegia 'Miss Manners' Physostegia 'Pink Bouquet'

Physostegia Description and Cultural Information

Physostegia virginiana, obedient plant. 30 - 36". Plants have square stems with opposite, lance-shaped leaves and spikes of pink flower heads. They grow from dense underground runners and will spread quickly to form large colonies. 'Bouquet Rose' and 'Pink Bouquet' have pink flowers very similar to the species. 'Vivid' is a little shorter with dark pink flowers. 'Summer Snow' has pure white flowers and blooms a few weeks earlier than the rest. 'Miss Manners' PP#12637 is a more compact variety growing to 18" and it is reported to not spread as rapidly.

How to Grow:  Plant obedient plant in average, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Plants will flop over in rich soil and have a tendency to run even more in too much shade. They will also grow in moist soil, but they tend to stay put better in hot, dry areas. Divide plants reqularly to control their spread.

Landscape uses:  Combine obedient plants with other late summer perennials such as Russian sage, garden phlox, asters, Boltonia, Japanese anemones, and ornamental grasses. They are not recommended for small gardens as they can really take up some space. Use them in the informal garden and corral them with tough perennials such as Helianthus and daylilies to help control their spread.