Obedient plant.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Perennial

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière vive indirecte

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

3 to 4 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 3 à 9

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant loves water. Watch for spreading as it can be quite aggressive in the garden. If the stems start to flop over, you can pinch them back in early summer to encourage sturdier growth.

Arrosage

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Engrais

Apply a balanced fertilizer once in the spring as new growth appears.

Taille

Cut the plant back to the ground after the first hard frost in autumn.

Rempotage

Divide the root clumps every couple of years to keep the plant healthy and contained.

Sol

Moist, fertile, well draining soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

-35 à 35°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.

Enfants

The plant is generally safe, but children should be discouraged from eating any garden flowers.

Allergènes de contact

No specific skin irritation is associated with this plant.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.

Comestibilité

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

Comment l'identifier

• Square stems typical of mint family
• Spikes of tubular snapdragon like flowers
• Lance shaped leaves with serrated edges
• Flowers remain positioned when pushed

Hauteur

0,6 à 1,2m

Envergure

0,45 à 0,6m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

pink, lavender, white, 2 à 3cm

Problèmes courants

• Rust — Fungal spots may appear on leaves during humid weather.
• Aphids — Small insects may cluster on tender new growth.

La cultiver

Multiplication

division, seed

Quand planter

spring, fall

Hivernage

Cut the stems back to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a light layer of mulch if you live in a region with very cold, drying winter winds.

En pot

It grows well in large pots, but ensure the container is at least 30 cm wide to accommodate its spreading roots.

Plant in a contained area or with other aggressive growers to prevent it from crowding out smaller neighbors.

Bonnes associations

• Purple coneflower — They share similar moisture needs and provide a nice color contrast.
• Eutrochium purpureum — This tall companion creates a beautiful backdrop for the obedient plant.

Espèces similaires

• Obedient plant — This is often used as a synonym for the species.

Science

Famille

Lamiaceae

Genre

Physostegia

Ordre

Lamiales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Eastern and central North America.

Préservation

It is secure across its native range and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in moist meadows and along stream banks where it can spread through its rhizomatous root system.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons, colibris

Utilisations

pollinator gardens, perennial borders, cut flowers

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Why is it called obedient plant?

If you push a flower to the side, it will stay in that position for a short time.

Does it spread aggressively?

Yes, it spreads via underground rhizomes and may need containment.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Physostegia comes from Greek words for bladder and covering, referring to the inflated calyx. The species name virginiana indicates its discovery in the Virginia region.

Bon à savoir

• The flowers are arranged in four vertical rows along the spike.
• It is a vigorous spreader that can colonize large areas.
• It is a member of the mint family but lacks the characteristic square stem scent.