Obedient Plant

Obedient plant is vigorous and will easily carpet an area with bloom making it a great choice as a groundcover for hard-to-maintain sites. But, because it can become invasive, place obedient plant in a spot where its spread can be controlled.

Does obedient plant like sun or shade?

Obedient Plant is a showy member of the mint family that creeps rapidly by rhizomes to keep weeds at bay. Typically around 3' high, it forms a good groundcover in moist soils, in full or partial sun.

Is obedient plant an annual or perennial?

Obedient plant is a clump-forming native perennial that grows aggressively. From midsummer to early fall, spikes of purple or pink (and sometimes white) flowers rise above sharply toothed leaves to four feet high.

Why is it called the obedient plant?

False dragonhead is often grown in flower gardens, and special cultivars have been developed. It can spread aggressively, however. It is called “obedient plant” because the flowers, when pushed from their normal position, will remain for a while where they have been turned.

Do hummingbirds like obedient plant?

Obedient Plant Care Hummingbirds and pollinators like bees like to visit this plant, which is suitable for growing in zones 3 to 9. Add it to your wildflower meadow or native flower garden for long-lasting summer blooms.

Should obedient plant be cut back in the fall?

You can cut back Obedient Plant stalks and leaves to the ground in Autumn once all the foliage has turned brown. Or, you can just leave them and remove the dead foliage in Spring. As sometimes beneficial insects over-winter inside the stalks.

How do you keep obedient plants blooming?

Obedient plants are happiest in full sun, but they can handle partial shade, especially during dry summers. Full sun will produce the most blossoms.

How fast does obedient plant spread?

This member of the Lamiaceae family grows 3-4 feet tall and its rhizomes can spread 2-3 feet per year. Plants flower in late summer and fall, lasting 1 1/2 months.

How long do obedient plants bloom?

One of obedient plant's best features is its long bloom time, about a full month from late summer into fall. The blossoms are light shades of pink and white, a rarity among the hot, bold colors of fall.

Can you move obedient plant?

Dig and move your green plants any time from now through the end of October. Water them well after the move. You can also divide them before replanting. Fist-sized pieces or larger are good.

Should I deadhead obedient plant?

Deadheading obedient plants will encourage them to flower a second time. Deadheading early will reduce the risk of further unintended propagation from seed. Leave old foliage on your obedient plants through the winter to protect them from frost. Cut it back in the spring to encourage new growth.

Can you divide obedient plant?

Divide obedient plants in early spring or late fall by digging up a mature, 3-5 year old clump. Break apart the root structure with your hands or a gardening tool, making sure each division has plenty of roots. Plant the divisions back in the garden and water well.

Are obedient plants poisonous to dogs?

While not considered toxic to humans or animals, obedient plant does have a rather unique adaptation – it contains not only external, but also internal idioblasts.

Does obedient plant attract butterflies?

Growing Conditions It is wonderfully adaptable, tolerating both drought and poor drainage. Spreads aggressively by stolons, but is easy to pull out and keep in check. Obedient plant is a good nectar source for butterflies.

How do I get rid of obedient plant?

Instead of such a broad-spectrum method, wait for the obedient plant to sprout and pull or hoe out as much as you can, then spot-spray with a glyphosate product, directing the spray just to the plants you want to kill. Any drift would also damage desirable plants.

When should you transplant obedient plants?

Description: Propagate by division of roots or by seed. Plant seeds in fall or in spring after damp stratification. Clumps that form from spreading stolons can be divided in early spring or late fall. Seed Collection: Seeds are 1/8, dull-brown nutlets.

Can you pinch back obedient plant?

Other gardeners pinch back the entire plant. Here are some common perennials that respond well to pinching: phlox, monarda, sedums, mums, asters, helenium, monkshood, obedient plant, Joe-pye weed, iron weed, Russian sage, heliopsis, veronica, veronicastrum, boneset, artemisia, turtlehead and nepeta.

What can I plant with obedient plants?

Plants that work well with Physostegia virginiana ''

• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Prairie sedge (Carex bicknellii)
• Bluestar, Blue Dogbane (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Switch grass (Panicum virgatum)
• Sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)

What month do you cut plants back?

The best time to prune is after flowering. If the plant needs to be renovated, or severely reduced, this can be done late winter and early spring just before growth begins.

Does obedient plant like wet soil?

Obedient plant prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun. However, plants will tolerate partial shade. The obedient plant is a rhizomatous perennial that spreads aggressively in favorable locations.