View Larger Obedient Plant

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    3 3 4 4b 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    This tall Virginia native has spires of bright pink flowers and can be seen growing along waterways and woodland trails. It makes an excellent addition the back of the border, but be prepared for some spreading. It does not earn its name by staying in one place, but due to the ability to manipulate the flowers in different directions.

    Latin Name

    Physostegia virginiana


    Family

    Lamiaceae


    Also Known As

    False Dragonhead


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    July - September


    Seasons

    Summer Summer
    Fall Fall

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 4'
    Max spread Max Spread: 3'

    Uses

  • Flower Border
  • Naturalize
  • Rain Garden

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Deer
  • Clay Soil

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Hummingbirds Hummingbirds

    Colors


    Native Range

    North America


    History

    The famous plantsman John Bartram sold obedient plant in his catalog by 1770.


    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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