False Dragon Head Physostegia virginiana
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- fy-so-STEE-jee-ah vir-jin-ee-AY-nah
- Description
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Obedient plant is a native perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. In the wild, they can be found in wet meadows, barrens and glades, seepages in open woods, damp thickets, among other sites. It does grow in open upland forests as long as the soil is quite high in pH. Uncommon to infrequent in the NC mountains. The common name "obedient" comes from the ability of the flowers on the stalk to be twisted into any position by hand, where they will remain "obediently".
Obedient plants grow best in moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil and sun to part sun. They can be propagated by seed or by the division of roots in the spring or fall. It can be aggressive in rich, moist soils, so gardeners should divide clumps every year or two to keep plants contained. Pulling out plants that are invading other parts of the garden is easy to do because the roots are shallow.
This easy-to-grow plant forms clumps quickly up to 4 feet tall and three feet wide with green-toothed margin leaves. Showy flowers are pale purple to rose appearing on tall spikes which bloom starting from the bottom and working up to the top of the spike. Obedient plant provides a long season of cheery color in the garden from mid-summer until the first frost.
A great choice for a meadow or native garden as it is visited by bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Aphids are occasional pests. Susceptible to blackspot fungal disease. It can be weedy, especially in damp soils. Stems may flop in rich soils, shade, or hot temperatures, so staking of taller plants may be necessary.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Miss Manners'
- 'Summer Snow'
White flowers
White flowers, non-spreading clumping compact growth non drooping stems - 'Summer Snow'
- 'Miss Manners', 'Summer Snow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Miss Manners'
- 'Summer Snow'
White flowers
White flowers, non-spreading clumping compact growth non drooping stems - 'Summer Snow'
- 'Miss Manners', 'Summer Snow'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Physostegia
- Species:
- virginiana
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America, North Carolina
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from August to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1 inch pale purple to rose flowers borne in a showy terminal spike. The corolla is swollen at the throat, the upper lip is domed, the lower lip spreading with three lobes. Blooms from July to October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Sharply toothed, lance-shaped leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth, erect, often-branching square stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Riparian
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Weedy