Physostegia virginiana Bouquet Rose - Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana 'Bouquet Rose' is a vigorous and hardy perennial with a generous and long flowering period. Its long spikes unfold from July and bloom until September, revealing multiple bell-shaped flowers in a pretty shade between pink and lilac. Very attractive to bees, they can also be used to create charming bouquets and form beautiful wide and upright clumps in sunny meadow-like borders.

As its name suggests, Physostegia is native to northeastern America where it thrives in moist meadows and marshy areas. In our gardens, this herbaceous perennial of the Lamiaceae family prefers moist soil and a sunny or partially shaded position. It may require mulching if the sun is too intense. It prefers neutral to acidic soils, and rich substrates allow it to spread vigorously and colonise the surroundings. It has beautiful branching stems that reach 70 cm (28in) in height. They are described as quadrangular, as they have a square cross-section. They bear shiny dark green deciduous leaves. Arranged in an opposite manner, they are long, about 10 cm (4in), lanceolate, and finely toothed. Long spikes top the stems at 10-15 cm (4-6in). They are composed of multiple tubular flowers, also positioned symmetrically on the four sides of the stems, which gradually open from bottom to top throughout the summer season. Their five lobes (2 upper and 3 lower) attract pollinators and are a lilac pink shade. The particularity of these bell-shaped flowers is that if you move them slightly, they retain this position for a while and appear somewhat frozen.

Physostegia virginiana 'Bouquet Rose' is an easy to grow and floriferous summer plant. Ideal for wet climates, it alone creates beautiful green borders with a very natural look. If you wish to stay with the bell theme, place it in front of foxgloves, with which it will continue the flowering, and alongside campanulas. Near ponds and water bodies, it will create a flowery transition between the lawn and the water.