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Obedient Plant Purple - 35 seeds (Physostegia Virginiana)

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Physostegia virginiana – Obedient Plant

Hardy perennial with elegant pink flower spikes and an unusual movable bloom habit

Physostegia virginiana, commonly known as Obedient Plant or False Dragonhead, is a striking hardy perennial producing tall, upright spikes of elegant pink to pale lilac, snapdragon-like flowers. Blooming through summer into early autumn, the flowers open progressively from the bottom of each spike, creating a long-lasting display above attractive narrow green foliage.

Its unusual common name comes from a fascinating characteristic of the flowers: individual blooms can be gently moved sideways and will temporarily remain in their new position. Growing approximately 90–120 cm tall, this vigorous perennial is excellent for the middle or back of borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic planting. The long flowering stems are also excellent for cutting, while the flowers are attractive to visiting pollinators.

Why You'll Love It

● Tall spikes packed with elegant pink to pale lilac flowers

● Unusual movable flowers give the Obedient Plant its memorable name

● Long flowering period from summer into early autumn

● Excellent tall perennial for cutting and flower arrangements

● Vigorous hardy perennial that returns year after year

Ideal For

● Cottage gardens

● Perennial borders

● Cut flower gardens

● Naturalistic and prairie-style planting

● Pollinator-friendly gardens

How to Sow & Grow (UK)

Sow indoors: December–April; for more uniform germination, seeds may be cold-moist stratified for approximately 3–4 weeks before sowing

Plant out: May–June, once plants are well established and after hardening off

Direct outdoors: September–November for natural winter stratification, or April–May

Flowering: June–September, usually from the second year

Life cycle: Hardy herbaceous perennial

Germination temperature: 15–20°C (59–68°F)

Average germination time: 30–90 days; germination can be irregular

Depth: Sow on the surface or cover very lightly with approximately 1–2 mm (up to 1/16 in) of fine compost or vermiculite

Light required: Yes – do not exclude light completely during germination

Moisture: Keep compost consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination; established plants prefer reliably moist soil

Environment: Full sun or partial shade

Soil type: Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil

Plant spacing: Approximately 45–60 cm (18–24 in)

Mature height: Approximately 90–120 cm (36–48 in)

Expert Growing Tips

● For more uniform germination, give seeds approximately 3–4 weeks of cold-moist stratification before spring sowing. Alternatively, sow in autumn and allow natural winter conditions to provide the cold period.

● Be patient with germination. Physostegia seed can emerge irregularly over several weeks rather than germinating all at once.

● Grow in full sun for the strongest, most upright flowering stems; plants grown in too much shade or overly rich soil may become more prone to flopping.

● Keep established plants consistently moist during dry periods, as Obedient Plant performs particularly well in soils that retain some moisture.

● Allow enough room for mature plants to spread. The species grows by underground rhizomes and can gradually form substantial colonies, so divide or restrict clumps if they begin spreading beyond their allocated space.

Physostegia virginiana – Obedient Plant

Hardy perennial with elegant pink flower spikes and an unusual movable bloom habit

Physostegia virginiana, commonly known as Obedient Plant or False Dragonhead, is a striking hardy perennial producing tall, upright spikes of elegant pink to pale lilac, snapdragon-like flowers. Blooming through summer into early autumn, the flowers open progressively from the bottom of each spike, creating a long-lasting display above attractive narrow green foliage.

Its unusual common name comes from a fascinating characteristic of the flowers: individual blooms can be gently moved sideways and will temporarily remain in their new position. Growing approximately 90–120 cm tall, this vigorous perennial is excellent for the middle or back of borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic planting. The long flowering stems are also excellent for cutting, while the flowers are attractive to visiting pollinators.

Why You'll Love It

● Tall spikes packed with elegant pink to pale lilac flowers

● Unusual movable flowers give the Obedient Plant its memorable name

● Long flowering period from summer into early autumn

● Excellent tall perennial for cutting and flower arrangements

● Vigorous hardy perennial that returns year after year

Ideal For

● Cottage gardens

● Perennial borders

● Cut flower gardens

● Naturalistic and prairie-style planting

● Pollinator-friendly gardens

How to Sow & Grow (UK)

Sow indoors: December–April; for more uniform germination, seeds may be cold-moist stratified for approximately 3–4 weeks before sowing

Plant out: May–June, once plants are well established and after hardening off

Direct outdoors: September–November for natural winter stratification, or April–May

Flowering: June–September, usually from the second year

Life cycle: Hardy herbaceous perennial

Germination temperature: 15–20°C (59–68°F)

Average germination time: 30–90 days; germination can be irregular

Depth: Sow on the surface or cover very lightly with approximately 1–2 mm (up to 1/16 in) of fine compost or vermiculite

Light required: Yes – do not exclude light completely during germination

Moisture: Keep compost consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination; established plants prefer reliably moist soil

Environment: Full sun or partial shade

Soil type: Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil

Plant spacing: Approximately 45–60 cm (18–24 in)

Mature height: Approximately 90–120 cm (36–48 in)

Expert Growing Tips

● For more uniform germination, give seeds approximately 3–4 weeks of cold-moist stratification before spring sowing. Alternatively, sow in autumn and allow natural winter conditions to provide the cold period.

● Be patient with germination. Physostegia seed can emerge irregularly over several weeks rather than germinating all at once.

● Grow in full sun for the strongest, most upright flowering stems; plants grown in too much shade or overly rich soil may become more prone to flopping.

● Keep established plants consistently moist during dry periods, as Obedient Plant performs particularly well in soils that retain some moisture.

● Allow enough room for mature plants to spread. The species grows by underground rhizomes and can gradually form substantial colonies, so divide or restrict clumps if they begin spreading beyond their allocated space.