Native Plant of the Week: Obedient Plant
- Kimberly Simmen
- Jun 2
- 1 min read
Family: Lamicaceae
Name: Physostegia virginiana
Bloom Time: August-September
Flower: Pinkish lavender
Soil Condition: average, moist
Light: Sun-partial sun
Height: 24-48" x 24-36"
Native Range: Eastern North America including Long Island
Zone: 2-9
Obedient plant is a late summer/early fall bloomer that belongs in a native plant garden. It is a great source of nectar for our pollinators including bumble bees and hummingbirds. It will spread aggressively in optimum conditions (moist), but if the soil is more on the drier side, it will slow the spread down a bit. It is very drought tolerant once established. It also makes a great cut flower. Obedient plant is a great alternative to the invasive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).
Maintenance: none necessary
Benefits: nectar source, pollinators, hummingbirds, black walnut tolerant, clay soil tolerant
Fun Fact: The common name “obedient plant” is because individual florets stay in place after being repositioned. Its other common name is false dragonhead.
Noteworthy Cultivars: 'Vivid' (darker pink), 'Miss Manner's' (white, clumping form)
Companion Plants: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Symphyotrichum species (American asters), Pycnanthemum species (mountain mints)
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