Submissively aggressive, the Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), has several heavy-duty survival traits. This perennial is quick to spread in the garden, yearly claiming wider and wider territories. If that trait is not enough for its survival, each flower has the ability to move around its base stem when brushed. Passersby, accidently too close, will not harm the flower, ensuring the plants ability to be a prolific seed producer, ensuring future new plants. Try it, the next time you encounter Obedient Plant; see how easy it is to move the location of the flowers around its base!
I never cared for the submission implied by that word, but I’ve always liked the plant. I guess it’s obeying its own inner rules.
It is also known as False Dragonhead. I always have issues with plant names with “false”; they are real plants after all.
It’s a beautiful perennial. I had it planted at my former home, but it spread so widely I promised I wouldn’t plant it again. After some of my more recent failures, I think I should have planted this again. More like disobedient plant in my experience. 🙂
They are pretty. I am easily able to pull them out in any unwanted areas, so I am not frustrated with their attempts to spread.
Ooo, I have to find one, because you know I will have to try it!