Late Summer Blooming Obedient Plant

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is native from the Central to Southern U.S. and northern Mexico (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It is called “obedient plant” because each tubular flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, stays in new position.

From July to September obedient plant is valued for its late season pink or white flowers. Tubular, two-lipped pink flowers in upright terminal spikes (each to 12-18 inches high) bloom throughout summer atop stems rising to 3-4 feet high and 1-2 feet wide. Flowers attract numerous pollinating insects.

Obedient plant tends to seed-in and also spreads prolifically by rhizomes. The leading cultivar is a non-spreading form appropriately named ‘Miss Manners’; it grows more tidy and is better behaved; its snapdragon-like flowers are pure white. It selected by Darrell Probst of Garden Visions in Hubbardston, MA. Miss Manners is a shorter grower, 18 inches high and 12 inches wide. It has a clumping habit, good secondary branching, and will rebloom when deadheaded. Foliage is deep green, glossy foliage.

Obedient plants grow best in average well-drained soil and in full sun. Plants growing in light shade or in rich, highly fertilized soils tend to flop and need staking. Prune back plants by half in late spring to improve branching and minimize possibility of floppiness. Plants should be divided every 2-3 years to keep beds neat.

It has no serious disease or pest problems and deer generally avoid it.  In wet summers rust disease may be troublesome. Obedient plant naturalizes freely and eventually becomes overcrowded in a wildflower or meadow garden.  It may be sited in rain gardens as plant tolerates temporary flooding. Flowers are a welcome addition in floral arrangements because flowers obediently hold in almost any position you desire.