The flower color is vivid, a clear rich/saturated pink/purple, unlike the pastel colors that are more prevalent in this species. Flowerin...Read Moreg begins much later than other cultivars, in September here (Boston Z6a).
This cultivar is shorter than the species, 1-2' tall, and less inclined to need support.
Tolerates wet soil and clay---in the wild, this is a wet soil plant, though it's fairly drought tolerant in the garden. Salt tolerant, too.
This is a highly aggressive plant in the garden, spreading by underground runners. I consider it a thug. It's relatively high maintenance, as its rapid spread calls for frequent division, unless its roots are confined by a barrier. I wouldn't plant this in a border except in a large sunken plastic pot with the base cut out---and even there, this cultivar can self-sow (though I haven't seen it self-sow here).
Belleville , IL (Zone 6b) | October 2011 | positive
Even though this plant will spread by runners, I missed having it when I moved from my southern home. I bought three plants and look for...Read Moreward to their comeback next year. They are attractive to butterflies and hummers visit them often for a drink.
When I bought these they were pot bound and the roots each carried a sprout on the end. I unraveled them and laid a few outside the hole still attached to the parent and covered the runner with additional top soil to help the spread.
I traded for just a couple of plants 2 years ago -and now I have a bed full. It is invasive but I enjoy it -not much else will grow in t...Read Morehis garden and it is THRIVING. It even survived this summers invasion of grasshoppers!
The white Obedient Plant seems to truly be obedient, unlike the purple version; which is prolific. I bought both a white and a purple pot...Read More and the purple has become a 2' by 3' border. The white one is only an inch or so fuller this year. It hasn't spread at all in the bed. The purple are spreading everywhere and I can tell I will be pulling some of those out very soon. They are beautiful together and are one of my favorites. Very easy to grow in my clay soil. We had very high winds and lots of snow this winter, too; and it hasn't hurt them at all. I only put them in last summer and I will already be giving some of the purple to friends. Love it.
Welcome blooms in late summer/early fall of a very pretty light fuschia purple. Very drought tolerant and if it gets too much shade, it w...Read Moreill affect the amount of bloom.
Spreads vigorously by runners even in a dry spot so either plant where it is contained by edging or plant in a large pot or coffee can with the bottom cut out. Extra plants are very easily pulled back. Roots run about 4-5 inches deep at most so any barrier that deep will contain spreading.
This is a fun plant for children. It's called obedient plant because the blooms are hinged and if you push them to the side with your finger, they stay there.
Physostegia 'VIVID' -Obedient Plant - 2' Tall. Plant 14" apart. Spikes of lavender pink. A strong grower.
General Inform...Read Moreation:
Many spikes of flowers in mid summer. Each spike holds its many flower buds in rows which open sequentially from bottom to top. Drought resistant. Its common name arises from the ability of the individual flowers to hold any position you fancy to give them. Will take any space you give it, making a glorious show en masse. Good cut flower, Best selection for the coldest areas (zones 3 & 4), not for the Gulf states.
I have a friend who lovingly refers to Physostegia as the "psycho plant". Of course, she lives much further north in a more temperate ar...Read Moreea than I do, and this plant is terribly invasive in her locale.
In my Texas garden, I have it planted on the north side of the house, under the eaves. It only gets LATE afternoon and evening sun, but still thrives. Yes, it is invasive, but I planted it with the idea that it would fill this narrow, somewhat dry, hot area, and it has. It stands up well to the runoff from the roof and it booms reliably from late summer through to first frost. I have it mixed with Mexican mint marigold and artemesia powis castle, and it makes a pretty show throughout the fall months.
The flower color is vivid, a clear rich/saturated pink/purple, unlike the pastel colors that are more prevalent in this species. Flowerin...Read More
Even though this plant will spread by runners, I missed having it when I moved from my southern home. I bought three plants and look for...Read More
I traded for just a couple of plants 2 years ago -and now I have a bed full. It is invasive but I enjoy it -not much else will grow in t...Read More
The white Obedient Plant seems to truly be obedient, unlike the purple version; which is prolific. I bought both a white and a purple pot...Read More
Welcome blooms in late summer/early fall of a very pretty light fuschia purple. Very drought tolerant and if it gets too much shade, it w...Read More
Physostegia 'VIVID' -Obedient Plant - 2' Tall. Plant 14" apart. Spikes of lavender pink. A strong grower.
General Inform...Read More
I have a friend who lovingly refers to Physostegia as the "psycho plant". Of course, she lives much further north in a more temperate ar...Read More