Physostegia virginiana, commonly called obedient plant or false dragonhead, is a rhizomatous perennial that is native to North America from Quebec to Manitoba south to Florida and New Mexico. Similar to snapdragons, tubular, two-lipped, pink to pale lilac flowers form in upright terminal spikes (each to 12-18) and bloom throughout summer (late June-September) on square stems about 2-4 tall. Flowers bloom bottom to top on each spike. This showy member of the mint family creeps rapidly by rhizomes to keep weeds at bay. Obedient blooms can bend in any direction, plant it with Great Blue Lobelia and Ironweed for a beautiful late summer color.
Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Occasionally, other long-tongued bees and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird may visit the flowers. These visitors seek nectar from the flowers.
Vital details:Size: 3-4 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide Light: Full sunWater: Average Hardiness: 3-10Pollinator value: Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers.Notable features: white flowers, native, purple flowers, attracts hummingbirds, attracts butterflies.Plant name: Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
