Species obedient plant
cluster of small, purple, tubular flowers with green stems, and purple buds

obedient plant

Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid'

Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid') is an eye-catching perennial with slender spires of bright pink flowers. Its flower-like leaves and fast-spreading habit create attractive mounds that add color and texture to the garden. This drought-tolerant plant is also easy to maintain, with blooms lasting all summer and into the fall. Its unique "obedience" trait is fun -- the stems of each flower can be bent and held in new positions. No matter how you move them, they stay in the new position until you move them again. A great addition to any garden, it adds a 2-3 foot height of color to your garden borders and beds. It's an essential and beautiful plant for your cutting garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

You should water your obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid') gradually and consistently, giving it 1 to 2 inches of water per week throughout the growing season. Make sure to water your plant deeply and thoroughly at least once a week, soaking the soil around the root zone. It is best to water in the morning, as this allows the water to penetrate and help the plant to survive through the hottest part of the day. Water more often during dry seasons or during periods of high heat. Be careful not to over water your obedient plant, as this can cause root rot or produce too many leaves making the plant more susceptible to disease.

sunlight

The obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid') grows best in full sun and requires a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for healthy growth. This plant is also tolerant to partial shade, meaning that it can still survive in partial shade and still produce flowers. However, it is important to note that the number of flowers may be reduced if placed in less direct sunlight. The best time of day for the obedient plant to receive direct sunlight is midmorning to midafternoon.

pruning

Pruning for the Obedient Plant species (Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid') should occur twice a year. Once in the spring after the last expected frost and again in late summer in order to maintain a healthy, attractive appearance and to encourage the plant to grow larger. When pruning in the spring, you can remove up to 1-third of the top growth of the plant to encourage new growth. In the late summer, remove any dead or damaged stems, as well as any stems that have grown too long. This will help to promote compact growth and encourage the branching off of side stems of the plant. If you prefer the plant to be more compact, you can remove more than 1-third of the top growth. You should also deadhead the Obedient Plant after flowering to promote new blooms. Deadheading involves removing the spent blooms and can be done any time during the flowering season. If you want your Obedient Plant to have a more natural look, feel free to leave the blooms as they are. Finally, be sure to keep your Obedient Plant well-watered and fertilized throughout the growing season for optimal health.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Obedient plant typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Obedient plant typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map