Easily grown in average, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates wet soils and some part shade. Avoid rich soils and full shade. Sturdy stems of this cultivar do not tend to flop. 'Miss Manners' will not produce viable seed and will not spread in the garden.
Physostegia virginiana is native to open meadows, prairies, stream banks, gravel bars and thickets from Quebec to Manitoba south to Florida and New Mexico. Species plants produce tubular, snapdragon-like, pink flowers in upright terminal spikes. Species plants are noted for being aggressive spreaders by both rhizomes and self-seeding. '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. Flowers bloom on each spike from bottom to top. 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 those of dragonhead (Dracocephalum). U.S. Plant Patent PP12,637 was issued on May 21, 2002.
No serious insect or disease problems. Rust is an occasional problem.
Borders. Naturalize in cottage gardens, wild gardens, prairies or meadows. Valued for its compact form, long summer bloom and non-spreading habit.
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