Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Mexico, United States
Dominicus Johannes Bergsma
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Physostegia
- Species:
- Physostegia virginiana
- USDA Symbol:
- PHVI8
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; tolerates periodic burns in prairie systems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers wetland areas but adaptable to garden settings
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For field grown plants, seeds are planted in the fall without cold storage. If unable to plant in the fall, store the seed dry in cold storage at 34-36 degrees F. For container grown plants, seeds are mixed with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampened in a plastic bag or container, then stored for 3-4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F.
Establishment: Seeds are collected by hand from nursery stock. The plant flowers from approx. August 5 to Sept 16. Seed is harvested about Sept 30. The plant is found from Quebec to Manitoba and south through the United States to Kansas, Virginia, Illinois and Tennessee.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.