False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant

Physostegia Virginiana

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Overview

False Dragonhead, or Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), is a robust perennial reaching 2-4 feet in height. Valued for its showy spires of pink to lavender tubular flowers, it blooms from late summer to fall. Thriving in zones 3-9, it prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Despite its name, it can spread aggressively, so consider root barriers for containment. Provides vibrant vertical interest and attracts pollinators.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater Low, MediumZones 3–9Climate Temperate

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — or Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Its linear-lanceolate leaves stretch up to 5 inches long

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — ranging in color from soft pink to vivid lavender

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Provides vibrant vertical interest and attracts pollinators

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — fondly referred to as the False Dragonhead or Obedient Plant

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — This North American native, growing robustly between 2 to 4 feet tall, boasts a spread of 1.5 to 3

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — emanating from square stems typical of the mint family

Culture

Sun: Full, Half, Shade
Water: Low, Medium
USDA zones: 3–9

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Lamiaceae
Climate: Temperate

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Photos (97)

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — or Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Its linear-lanceolate leaves stretch up to 5 inches long

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — ranging in color from soft pink to vivid lavender

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Provides vibrant vertical interest and attracts pollinators

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — fondly referred to as the False Dragonhead or Obedient Plant

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — This North American native, growing robustly between 2 to 4 feet tall, boasts a spread of 1.5 to 3

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — emanating from square stems typical of the mint family

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Despite its name, it can spread aggressively, so consider root barriers for containment

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — is a robust perennial reaching 2-4 feet in height

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Thriving in zones 3-9, it prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Valued for its showy spires of pink to lavender tubular flowers, it blooms from late summer to fall

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — although it can tolerate periods of drought once established

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — creating an extended floral display from July to September

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — approximately 1 inch in length

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — with peak blooming in August

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — It thrives in full to partial sun exposure and prefers moist

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — the Obedient Plant can spread eagerly via rhizomes

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — supporting pollinators such as bees

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — perennial for full or half or shade

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — perennial with pink blooms

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — or Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana); thriving in zones 3-9, it prefers full sun to partial

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — When integrating it into a garden theme

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — pink flowers in the garden

False Dragonhead, Obedient Plant (Physostegia Virginiana) — Thriving in zones 3-9, it prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil; valued

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