P.O. Box 3558
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3558
Strowd Roses, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana, commonly known as Obedient Plant or False Dragonhead, is a robust, upright herbaceous perennial native to North America. Valued for its late-summer to fall display, it features tubular flowers that resemble snapdragons, blooming in shades of white, pink, or pale lavender. The plant earns its common name from a unique trait: if an individual flower is pushed to one side of the spike, it acts as if it is hinged and will obediently remain in its new position. It provides strong architectural presence, though it is known to spread aggressively in ideal conditions.
Grow Guide
- Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
- Size: 3–4 feet tall with a spread of 2–3 feet
- Watering: Medium to wet; it is adaptable and tolerates clay soils, poor drainage, and temporary drought, though it prefers consistently moist soils.
- Best Use: Ideal for rain gardens, native plant meadows, naturalized areas, and cottage borders. It is highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees, while remaining highly deer resistant. (Note: Because it spreads vigorously via underground rhizomes, it is best planted where it has room to roam.)
