Evening star., 1943-08-01
Physostegias
BY ". II. Youneman.

Gardeners seeking summer flow
ering perennials that are hardy and
dependable should not overlook the
physostegias. The physostegias are
commonly known by their botanical
name, although plant as long culti-
waited as they have been has many
common names. False e-dragonhead
is probably the best known although
'"Obedient Plant" and "Accomoda-
tlon-f1ower" are more descriptive.
The flowers remain in any position
to which they may be turned, thus
these two names are fitting. This
characteristic should appeal par
ticularly to those who specialize in
flower arrangements.
The physostegias prefer light
shade to full sun and moist, rather
rich soil. Clumps in favorable sit
uation often persist for many years
: with little or no attention However,
they do best if lifted and thinned
every few years. They spread under
ground stems and soon become too
crowded for best growth. In this
characteristic they res mbl e the
tchrysanthemum. They are vigorous
growers and so the soil should be
enriched to keep them at their best.
( The physostegias should be lifted
in the spring and thinned out. The
rapid growing clumps need food and
moisture to make their best showing,
which is rather difficult in poor soils.
Too often our summers are hot and
dry and they are stunted, but when
we'll planted in rich soil they make
An excellent display. Some garden
ers set the individual plants two
E, feet apart. but many others prefer
. to have them closer, 8 to IL inches
apart.
: Since the plants, with the excep-
4, ton of Vivid" grow to a height of
feet or more they should be placed
towards the back of the border. The
white form does not need back
. ground. but the pale pink and lilac
tinted forms need something green
behind them to make the most eff
: fective display. They appear best
5 If the contrasting colors of other
flowers are growing nearby.
The variety Vivid" growing from
.18 to "a inches in height, should be
, planted toward the front of the
/; border. 1t is a vivid deep pink, well
, named, and makes a pleasing dis
play in late August and September
when most perennial borders are
rather colorless and forlorn.
The florets of the spikes are tube
shaped resembling small snap
dragon blossoms. They begin open
Ing from the base and gradually |
open up to the tip and thus are
long-lasting. The foliage of the
physostegias is long and narrow and |
Of an attractive bright green giving
them fresh and healthy appear
ance.
Propagation is normally by divi-
sion because they send out many
new shoots each spring, but they
may be grown from seed. Plants
should be divided in the spring
(ApriD but seed should be sown in
July or early August.
The physostegias seem to be rel
atively free from disease and insect
pests. Flowering after most Japa-
nese beetles have entered the ground
they escape from that pest.
The physostegias are not new to
American gardens, but too many
gardeners are overlooking them,
perhaps trying to find something
newer and more spectacular. How
ever, any plant that withstands our
climate and growing conditions, pro-
viding us with splendid floral dis
play and fine .long-lasting flowers in
the heat and drought of late sum-
mer ought to be looked upon as
being really spectacular. Let's in
clude more Of them in our peren-
nial borders!