The Native Plant Store can Now be Found Here

  • This page will remain accessible as a library page until I have all the species moved to the new page and all the quirks worked out in the new software so it can function as a searchable library.
  • Please see the Using the Plant Library  page  for some tips on how to make the most of the information in this existing library to select species for creating a healthy native plant community suited to the conditions of your site.

Physostegia virginiana, Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Virginia False Dragonhead or Obedient Plant

  • Average to high moisture soils 
  • Full Sun to part shade
  • 4’ tall, 1’ to 2’ wide, spreading to form a patch
  • Late Summer Blooms
  • Ontario Native, Thrives in High Moisture Ecosystems, Gardens, Meadows and Open Woodlands

Just beginning to become established in the spaces I tend, False Dragonhead is rather famous for their capacity to wander around and overwhelm less enthusiastic species.

Their showy, late summer blooms are rich in nectar and attract, and feed, a lot of pollinator species.

While they enjoy a high moisture setting, they adapt perfectly well to average or even slightly dry conditions, where their tendency to wander, or overrun, can be moderated to the point where they play well with less enthusiastic spreaders.

In areas with ideal conditions, pair them with similarly rambunctious species like Prairie Sundrops, Monardas and Panicled Aster or with species that are quite accomplished at holding their own, like Joe-Pye-Weed and Swamp Rosemallow.

These plants are grown from seeds from the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library.

The photos are from a B&B I stayed at a few years ago in Vermont.

Species that were not sown / aren't being sown for 2023 are marked with an * 
Species that are native to this continent, but not historically native to Ontario are marked with a ~ 
While it rarely comes up, I do reserve the right to limit plant quantities, mostly to help ensure that as many native plant gardens as possible become a reality
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