Looking to add a charming, easy-care perennial to your garden? Obedient plants (Physostegia virginiana), also called False Dragonheads, are known for their attractive spikes of tubular flowers and flexible stems that stay where you position them — hence the name obedient. Native to North America, these plants thrive in sunny spots with moist soil and attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Beyond the classic variety, there are several stunning obedient plant cultivars and close relatives to explore. Here’s a list of ten you’ll love to train and grow.
1. Physostegia virginiana ‘Vivid’
‘Vivid’ is a compact, vigorous cultivar of obedient plant that dazzles with bright, deep-pink flower spikes from mid to late summer. Standing about 18–24 inches tall, it’s ideal for borders, cottage gardens, and butterfly-friendly spaces. The square stems can be gently bent or staked to suit your garden’s look, and its lush green foliage adds fullness to mixed beds. ‘Vivid’ is loved for its ability to thrive in moist, sunny locations and its resistance to deer and rabbits.
2. Physostegia virginiana ‘Summer Snow’
For a crisp, clean look in your garden, ‘Summer Snow’ offers pure white, snapdragon-like flowers on sturdy stems. Growing up to 36 inches tall, this variety makes a striking statement when planted in masses or mixed with bold-colored blooms. It shares the classic obedient plant trait of flexible, positionable stems and thrives in sunny, well-drained soils. Butterflies and bees adore its nectar-rich blossoms, making it a pollinator favorite in any landscape.
3. Physostegia virginiana ‘Miss Manners’
Known for its well-behaved, clump-forming nature, ‘Miss Manners’ is a refined variety that doesn’t spread aggressively like some obedient plants. Its crisp white flowers bloom from midsummer to early fall atop upright stems. Growing about 18–24 inches tall, it’s perfect for small gardens, patios, or container plantings. ‘Miss Manners’ enjoys moist, sunny conditions and works beautifully as a cut flower, with its long-lasting, snapdragon-like blooms brightening indoor arrangements.
4. Physostegia virginiana ‘Rosea’
Add a soft, romantic touch to your borders with ‘Rosea’, a pale pink flowering obedient plant. This graceful variety produces delicate, pastel spikes from late summer into early fall and grows up to 36 inches tall. It thrives in sunny, moist soil conditions and is especially lovely planted alongside ornamental grasses or deep-hued perennials. Like its relatives, ‘Rosea’ can be gently positioned for garden designs, and its nectar-rich blooms invite hummingbirds and pollinators.
5. Physostegia virginiana ‘Pink Manners’
‘Pink Manners’ is a hybrid of the classic obedient plant that boasts rich pink flowers atop upright, non-spreading stems. Reaching up to 36 inches in height, it’s ideal for perennial borders, rain gardens, or wildlife-friendly plantings. Its improved behavior — forming neat clumps rather than rapidly spreading — makes it a garden favorite. ‘Pink Manners’ blooms for several weeks in summer, offering lasting color and a valuable nectar source for bees and butterflies.
6. Physostegia virginiana ‘Crystal Peak White’
For compact spaces, ‘Crystal Peak White’ is an award-winning obedient plant known for its clean white blooms and compact, bushy form. Growing to just 16 inches tall, it’s perfect for borders, patio containers, and small garden beds. It begins blooming in midsummer and continues into early fall, with upright flower spikes that remain tidy and upright. Loved by pollinators and deer-resistant, ‘Crystal Peak White’ thrives in moist, fertile soil with full to partial sun.
7. Physostegia virginiana ‘Alba’
Simple yet striking, ‘Alba’ features tall spires of pristine white flowers that glow in evening gardens and moonlit landscapes. Reaching 30–40 inches tall, it thrives in sunny to partially shaded sites and moist soil conditions. ‘Alba’ looks stunning planted en masse along fences, pond edges, or rain gardens. Like other obedient plants, its stems are flexible and easy to train, making it a fun addition to floral borders and wildlife gardens.
8. Physostegia virginiana ‘Bouquet Rose’
‘Bouquet Rose’ is a charming pink-flowered obedient plant that grows to around 24–30 inches tall. Its delicate rose-pink blooms appear in late summer and early fall, adding a soft touch to mixed perennial beds and pollinator gardens. The long-lasting flower spikes are perfect for cutting and bring cheer indoors. ‘Bouquet Rose’ prefers sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil and is known for its strong stems that can be bent into position without breaking.
9. Physostegia virginiana ‘Variegata’
A unique twist on the classic, ‘Variegata’ boasts eye-catching variegated leaves edged in creamy white. Its lavender-pink flower spikes emerge in midsummer and continue into early fall. Reaching 24–36 inches tall, it brings both foliage interest and late-season color to borders and rain gardens. This variety thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas and benefits from regular watering. The flexible stems can be trained or supported easily, adding versatility to your landscape.
10. Physostegia virginiana ‘Purple Dome’
‘Purple Dome’ is a bold, richly colored obedient plant with dense spikes of deep purple-pink flowers. This mid-sized variety grows up to 24 inches tall and is perfect for creating vibrant color patches in sunny garden beds. It blooms from midsummer into fall, providing nectar for pollinators and color for gardeners. Its sturdy stems can be positioned or staked to suit your garden design, making it a reliable and easy-to-grow perennial for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.
Conclusion
Whether you’re drawn to the rich hues of ‘Purple Dome’, the neat form of ‘Miss Manners’, or the elegance of ‘Summer Snow’, these obedient plants are wonderfully easy to grow and perfect for adding structure, color, and pollinator appeal to your landscape. Their flexible, positionable stems and long-lasting blooms make them a playful, rewarding addition to any garden.
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