Obedient Plants

16 years ago

I have quite a few of these, only one is in bloom right now, but I expect bunches of blooms later in the summer. I know one of the species I have is Physostegia virginiana, and I may have some Physostegia angustifolia.

My question is... Are any of the species of Obedient Plants worth planting for butterflies/hummers? In other words, how do they stack up against other native nectar plants? Do you notice many bflies/hummers at yours'?

If y'all don't give me any good reports about these and if mine don't perform this year, I may yank 'em out and put in some better nectar plants.

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Comments (4)

mcronin
16 years ago
I have 2 big beds of obedient plants and have not seen a butterfly or hummingbird visit them in the 10 years I've had them. I keep them as a novelty. It's fun to show people on garden tours why they're called obedient plants.

mike
bernergrrl
16 years ago
I know what you mean ben_birding, but I let them go because I love the foliage and the flowers. Sometimes I keep things because I like them, but I may start restricting their movement (they're quite the spreaders). Their flowering season also didn't seem to be very long.
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HAVE: Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
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In the photo, it doesn't look like the variegated plant. The leaves look glossy green, but it is still lovely. I have many vegetable seeds that we could exchange.
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Hey, Aggie. There are several kinds of obedient plants. Can you be more specific? If it is the common sensitive plant, mimosa pudica you should be aware that it is somewhat toxic. If you have fish that graze on plants it might not be suitable.I certainly agree it is attractive. I have seen it sold as a pond plant.It can do well in some ponds but it can be a bit finicky. Another Obedient plant is a member of the mint family. It might do quite well growing on the side of the pond. If it likes the water it will soon spread there. Most mints are invasive. A plant that is sometimes confused with that one is loosestrife. You must be very careful not to use Purple loosestrife which is a disastrously invasive plant especially in wetlands. There are plenty of other varieties that are not invasive.
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ok.. this psot has been sitting here for over a week ... with no reply .. if it goes as usual .. now that i replied.. someone else will come along and give you an answer ... in my world.. that is cosmetic damage.. consistent with a hard summer ... and the fact that it is fall in OH ... the plant will soon be cut to the ground.. for winter.. and that solves the whole problem .. in my world.. it doesnt matter what the cause was ... and it is not a reason to pull out the chemicals nor remedies ... ken
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susanlynne48
16 years ago
I have the white and I've seen the moths at them, but not butterflies or hummers. The hummers are enjoying my new 'Black and Blue' Salvia, Hibiscus coccineus, passion flowers, tropical milkweed, hamalis patens, cypress vine, verbena bonariensis, Orange Cosmos, and lantana. They're not very picky! LOL!

Some years, the flowering season last longer than others. I don't know why (another "scratch your head" phenomenon).

Susan
tracey_nj6
16 years ago
I've had mine for years; the only visits they get are from ants, but the bumblebees LOVE them! I haven't noticed any butterfly or hummer activity on it either. It's a rampant reseeder for me, but it's very easy to remove unwanted shoots. I wish all "invasives" were so easy to control. I had one shoot this year hit 5', until the squirrel decided to mess with me :(

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Obedient Plants

Comments (4)

mcronin

bernergrrl

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susanlynne48

tracey_nj6

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