Obedient Plant
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Hello there! I’m the Obedient Plant, Physostegia virginiana—a proud North American native and a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae.
My name might give you the impression that I’m well-behaved in the garden, but here’s a little secret… I’ve got a wild streak! Like my mint-family relatives, I love to spread out and make myself right at home. But don’t worry, I’m easier to manage than most of my cousins. Just plant me in a spot with moderate water, and I’ll behave better. If I start to get too ambitious, you can simply divide me into smaller sections to keep me in check.
As for my name? It’s less about my growth habits and more about my blossoms! You can gently nudge my flowers into position, and they’ll obediently stay wherever you place them. Fun, isn’t it? My blooms are stunning and irresistible to pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other delightful garden visitors can’t get enough of me. I bloom from August to October, bringing vibrant late-season colour to any landscape.
Add me to your garden, and I promise to bring beauty, life, and a buzz of activity from my pollinator friends. I may be a bit of a rebel, but hey—that’s all part of my charm!