Miss Manners Obedient Plant

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2 Feet

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Physostegia virginiana Miss Manners is a well-behaved, clumping form of Obedient Plant with exceptional wildlife appeal. In midsummer, this perennial features spikes of pure white, snapdragon-like flowers in rows, which open from the bottom up. It is called an Obedient Plant because the flower spikes will temporarily hold any position they are given. The sturdy stems grow from the ground up and hold long, narrow, glossy, dark-green leaves. This is an easy plant to grow in almost any garden condition.

Miss Manners has an upright, branching habit that reaches up to 30 inches high and 24 inches wide. It grows in a tidy clump and is spread by suckers like the species plant. The Obedient Plant is native to eastern North America, where it grows frequently in prairies, wet thickets, and riverbanks. Miss Manners makes an excellent addition to pollinator gardens as the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plant it in groups in the middle section of a perennial border, cottage garden, or meadow.

Miss Manners Obedient Plant Care

Miss Manners flowers best in full sun with at least 6 – 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. It grows easily in most soil types, including clay, sandy and silt. It prefers average to moist soil and can tolerate boggy sites with poor drainage. It prefers soil on the acidic side. Apply a thick layer of organic compost around the root zone after planting.

Cut back the plant by half in spring to maintain a compact form. Remove spent flowers to encourage a second bloom and prevent self-seeding. Remove old foliage and divide Miss Manners in spring. 

Miss Manners Obedient Plant Spacing

To plant a drift of Miss Manners, space individual plants approximately 2 feet apart on center in staggered rows.For container planting, select a weather-resistant pot at least 18 inches in diameter with drainage holes.