garden
Obedient plant
Physostegia virginiana
Native to N. America
Overview
Named for the curious trait of its flowers staying put when pushed to a new position on the spike, obedient plant is a vigorous native perennial with showy pink to lavender snapdragon-like blooms. It provides late-summer color when many other plants are fading and is a reliable source of nectar for bees and hummingbirds. It spreads enthusiastically by rhizomes — give it room or contain it.
Growing Conditions
Hardiness Zones6 — 10
Height25.28m
Spread0.64m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Bloom Colorblue
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 7
Soil TypeMoist, fertile soil; tolerates wet conditions
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | May — Jun | Plant in spring; flowers stay where you push them on the spike — hence the name |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Pink spikes late summer; good cut flower; attracts hummingbirds |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant in spring; spreads aggressively — contain or choose compact cultivars |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Late summer bloom; individual florets can be repositioned on stem |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring; pink snapdragon-like flowers; vigorous spreader |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Bloom late summer through fall; deadhead to prevent self-sowing |
| Moderate (5-7) | Divide | Mar — Apr | Divide every 2-3 years to control spread; discard center of clump |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Plant in late winter; moist soil preferred |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Jun — Aug | Summer bloom; contains spread by removing runners |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Nov — Dec | Plant in fall; needs moisture; part shade in hot zones |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | May — Jul | Summer bloom |
Uses
Other Uses
- Late-summer pollinator and hummingbird plant
- Rain garden and moist meadow planting
- Unique interactive flower (stays where pushed)
