Plant ID: Physostegia virginiana

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Physostegia virginiana is often called the Obedient Plant because when nudged to one side - it will stay there. However, that is where its obedience stops. It is a native plant to North America and to the top areas of Mexico - it likes sunny areas but can kinda manage some shade.

What to Know

This species has a couple of noteworthy varieties like ‘Miss Manners’ and ‘Pink Manners’ - both of which I’ve used in the past. The differences of the species and its varieties is primarily with the mature height of the flower and the color of the bloom. Miss Manners is the shrimp of the trio - only reaching around 24 inches in bloom while the straight species can get up to 48 inches. Pink Manners is square in the medium of those two. Miss Manners is the only one that blooms white. This is strictly a seasonal interest plant. They are a little dramatic - and can flop in hot or wet weather. Yet they don’t really like shade - because they flop in too much shade too. Yet, their life cycle throughout the growing season will melt your heart so it’s impossible to say no to them. The have a ton of texture on their stem and look like some between a wild asparagus and a more tamed Alien (as in the movie the Alien). Light green, the plant grows with little need for attention - getting taller and taller through spring and summer. They are sometimes called False Dragonheads due to the shape and form of the bloom - petals pop out from the two sides. They are thin in totality and can be planting among a crowded area of a garden as long as they are not set too far back. And though some websites say they bloom from June to September - my experience is only in the latter. They are a late, late summer or early fall flowering plant. Plus, they are vigorous self-seeders - so you will want to manage them by removing any excess individuals relocating to the wrong parts of your landscape. But however demanding or floppy, these perennials are amazing. They don’t exactly fit into the general idea of what a perennial “should” look like, so their presence is a welcomed reminder of the variety life has to offer.

PHYSOSTEGIA VIRGINIANA

general information

Exposure: Sun

Soil: Dry to Average to Sandy

Height: 30 to 48 inches

Spread: 12 to 15 inches

Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9

Bloom Time: Late Summer to Early Fall