False Dragonhead or more commonly known as Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), is a rhizomatous perennial. It’s native to eastern North America, west to Manitoba, North Dakota, and south to New Mexico.

A native that I thoroughly enjoy having in my gardens attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. That is, while the hummers are around. The Obedient Plants here bloom just as the Hummingbirds are packing their little suitcases, readying to migrate south. The ones from further north, the ones migrating through now, are enjoying the blooms. I like to make them feel welcome to stop to get nectar as they are traveling. Sometimes the flowers get more attention than the feeder that is sitting waiting for them, filled with syrup.

Obedient Plant is in the mint, Lamiaceae, family. It grows to be about 24 inches tall. It’s said to tolerate semi-shade, as well as sun, but I find that it manages to move toward more sunny locations. Surely it knows what is best.

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