Culture
Easily grown in average, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. Stems tend to flop in rich soils, too much shade or hot summer temperatures. Taller plants may need staking. Tolerates wet soils and some part shade.
'Miss Manners' is less prone to flopping than the species.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Physostegia virginiana, commonly called obedient plant or false dragonhead, is a rhizomatous perennial that is native to North America from Quebec to Manitoba south to Florida and New Mexico. In Missouri, it is commonly found in a variety of habitats including open meadows, prairies, stream banks, gravel bars, wooded bluff bases and railroad track right-of-ways (Steyermark). Tubular, two-lipped, snapdragon-like, pink to pale lilac flowers in upright terminal spikes (each to 12-18”) bloom throughout summer (late June-September) atop square stems rising to 2-4’ tall. Flowers bloom bottom to top on each spike, with each flower being subtended by a small leaf-like bract. Stems are clad with opposite, narrow-lanceolate, sharply-toothed leaves (to 3-6” long). Species plants are noted for being aggressive spreaders in the landscape by both rhizomes and self-seeding.
Genus name comes from the Greek words physa meaning bladder and stege meaning covering in reference to the calyces which inflate as they develop.
Specific epithet is in reference to the State of Virginia which is part of the native range for this plant.
Genus members are commonly called obedient plants because each individual flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, temporarily remain in the new position as if it were hinged. Genus members are also commonly called false dragonhead because the flowers are suggestive of the flowers of dragonhead (Dracocephalum).
'Miss Manners' is a naturally occurring seedling of Physostegia virginiana 'Rosea'. It is a patented cultivar that is distinguished by its (1) non-spreading, clump-forming growth habit, (2) compact growth, (3) sturdy upright stems that do not flop and (4) long season of bloom. Plants typically grow to 24-30" tall on stiff, square stems clad with narrow, lance-shaped, sharp-toothed leaves (to 3-5” long). Rhizomes are very short and plants do not spread. Dense spikes (8-10" long) of pure white, tubular, two-lipped, snapdragon-like flowers bloom in summer. U.S. Plant Patent PP12,637 was issued on May 21, 2002.
Problems
Rust is an occasional problem. Watch for aphids and spider mites.
Species plants can be an aggressive spreader.
Less aggressive than the species.
Uses
Borders. Naturalize in cottage gardens, wild gardens, prairies or meadows. Valued for its compact form, long summer bloom and non-spreading habit.