Physostegia virginiana

Common Names

Obedient Plant, Accommodation Flower, American Heather, Lady Of The Lake, Lion's Heart, Lion's Mouth, Mexican Heath, Obedient Flower, Pink Shellflower, St Margaret's Flower, Toad's Mouth, Virginian False Dragon's Head

Summary

Physostegia virginiana, commonly known as Obedient Plant, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the mint family native to North America. It grows about 2–4 feet tall with square stems, opposite lance-shaped leaves, and tall spikes of tubular pink to purple (occasionally white) flowers that bloom from midsummer to fall, with flowers that bend and stay in the new position, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and showing deer resistance.

It prefers fertile, consistently moist soils in full sun to partial shade, but tolerates a range of soils including clay and loam and can spread aggressively by rhizomes. Containment can be achieved by dividing clumps every few years or growing in pots; propagation can be by division or seeds (seed requires damp stratification). It is hardy in USDA zones 3–9 and suitable for borders, rain gardens, wetlands, and cut-flower borders.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-4 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun; tolerates Partial Shade and Full Shade

Soil Type

Fertile, reliably moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

slightly acidic soil

Bloom Color

Pink to purple, often with white or lavender accents

Bloom Time

Summer and Fall.

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing; rate varies by variety.

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, and birds