Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

The common name of this species has everything to do with its flowers and nothing to do with its behavior in the garden.

Purchase Plants

Back to the List

Introduction

Obedient Plant thrives in wetter soils. It is a rhizomatous plant so its root system will spread fairly quickly underground.

Anyone who has played around with its flower spikes will notice the curious fact that individual flower stems will remain in whichever direction you point them in.

About the Plant

This is a wonderful species if you need a plant to fill in large spots around your yard. Like all members of the mint family, it produces copious amounts of nectar. Blooming late summer and well into fall, Obedient Plant provides a much-needed boost of energy for pollinators facing the coming winter.

Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Occasionally, other long-tongued bees and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird may visit the flowers.