Physostegia
Obedient plant, False dragonhead
- Height × spread
- 0.4m – 1.2m × 0.3m – 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These appealing plants are vigorous by nature and can quite quickly spread to make a good sized foliage clump, if they are happy in the position allocated to them. They look beautiful, either singly or in a group with their columnar flowering spikes. The individual flowers are tubular with open mouths, close packed on the stems. They slightly resemble the blooms of foxgloves. They come in a good range of colours in white and pink, in shades from soft tints to magenta. There are forms with variegated foliage available as well. These plants can come into flower in June and go into September. They can range in height from around 60cm to 1.2 metres. The popular name 'Obedient Plant' reflects the fact that flowers can be gently moved to a different position and will then stay there!
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cube
- Height
- 0.4m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Shady court, Seaside garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Divide some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have different requirements for dividing them when they get big. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for guidance, and/or check the label.
Found in
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