Description
Physostegia virginiana, known as obedient plant, is an upright perennial with square stems and lance-shaped, toothed leaves. From midsummer to early autumn it carries spikes of tubular pink to purple flowers, which are good for cutting.
Obedient plant at a glance
| Botanical name |
Physostegia virginiana |
| Common name |
Obedient plant |
| Plant type |
Upright, clump-forming perennial; dies back in winter |
| Height and spread |
Up to about 1 m tall, up to 50 cm wide |
| Flowers |
Pink to purple (occasionally white), tubular, in upright spikes, July to September |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade, sheltered |
| Soil |
Moist but well-drained soil that does not dry out |
| Pond depth |
None – moist soil, not water |
| Hardiness |
RHS H7 – very hardy (below -20°C) |
| Native to |
North America (not UK native) |
Is obedient plant a pond plant?
No. It is a border perennial for reliably moist soil, not a water or bog plant. The RHS gives moist but well-drained soil, so plant it in a damp border near the pond, not in standing water.
Where to plant it
- Moist borders beside a pond
- Sheltered spots in sun or part shade
- Cutting gardens, for the flower spikes
How to plant and care for it
Plant in spring in moist soil that does not dry out. Watch for slugs and snails; it can also suffer from fungal and bacterial rots.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
