Physostegia virginiana Summer Snow - Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana 'Summer Snow' in bloom creates a beautiful display in the garden. This robust and hardy perennial, with a wide clumping habit, produces narrow, slightly stiff, snow-white spikes covered with mischievous flowers in summer. When the flowers are touched, they permanently change their orientation around the axis of the inflorescence. These plants require a humus-rich soil, always moist and in full sun, to flourish.

Physostegia virginiana belongs to the scrophulariaceae family and is native to the eastern and central parts of North America. 'Summer Snow' is a cultivar with white flowers. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant, forming an erect clump of unbranched stems, reaching about 60 cm (24in) in all directions, with rapid growth. The spikes, measuring about 10-12cm (4-5in) in length, are covered with small white tubular flowers and develop in the heart of summer at the top of the stems. The flowers are attached to the axis by a small organ that acts as a joint, allowing them to orient themselves in any direction and maintain their position. They are arranged in four ranks. The deciduous foliage consists of lanceolate, narrow leaves, 10 cm (4in) long, with toothed edges, and a shiny dark green colour. The plant has a semi-suckering stump, and the large white roots, resembling those of bindweed, allow it to slowly spread.

Easy to grow, Physostegia virginiana 'Summer Snow' appreciates moist soil and full sun. It is often used as a border plant near a water feature or for making bouquets, as its flowers are very attractive and long-lasting in a floral arrangement. It will also find its place in perennial and shrub beds, alongside summer asters (Aster novae angliae), the soft inflorescences of 'Phantom' hydrangea, or pastel-coloured landscape roses.