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Herbaceous PerennialSynonym

Dracocephalum virginicum

obedient plant

An herbaceous perennial to 1m tall, with erect, square stems bearing lance-shaped, toothed leaves. From midsummer to early autumn it produces purple to pink (occasionally white) tubular flowers, held in short, upright spikes; the flowers are good for cutting. The common name refers to individual blooms, which will stay in position if moved around on their stalks

Other common names
accommodation flower
American heather
see morelady of the lake
lion's heart
lion's mouth
Mexican heath
obedient flower
pink shellflower
St Margaret's flower
toad's mouth
Virginian false dragon's head
Synonyms
Dracocephalum virginicum

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple White Green
Autumn Pink Purple White Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Physostegia are erect rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with neatly arranged pairs of toothed leaves and terminal racemes of 2-lipped, tubular flowers in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
North America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back old stems in winter

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal and bacterial rots

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