Friday, September 28, 2018

A FAVORITE FLOWER

The common name for this pretty flower is the Obedient Plant.  Its scientific name is Physostegia virginia 'Vivid' and is part of the mint family.
This flower has always been one of my favorites, ever since I first saw it at Meadowlark Gardens.  It was in their native plants area, just like this one which I discovered at Green Spring Gardens.
It is called the Obedient Plant because each one can be curved in any direction, so it is great for flower arrangements when you need a little tweaking.
A little visitor can be seen in this cropped version.  It also attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bumble bees, bees and sphinx moths, and other pollinators and beneficial insects.  It is also seldom eaten by deer or small mammals.
More can be learned here.



30 comments:

  1. We had some obedient plants at one stage. I wonder what happened to them, and whether we can replace them.

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    1. Interesting EC, I hope you let me know if you can get more.

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  2. Wow!!! This is so beautiful, in both color, size, and shape!! I have never seen one. It fills each photo with wonder. Thanks for posting it, I learned about a new flower. I sure would love to see a real one. That ant better not hurt it!!

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    1. Hi Ginny, they are a very pretty bloom, glad you enjoyed them and hopefully the ant is one of those beneficial insects :)

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  3. I love it! It sounds like a fabulous flower to add to a garden. I wonder if we have it in Hawaii.

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    1. I would wonder that too Kay, let me know if you find any.

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  4. Stunning flowers! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You are very welcome Nasreen, happy you enjoyed them.

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  5. It is a lovely flower, especially like the colour. Oh, and the little visitor which I'm glad you showed in an enlarged shot.

    Thanks for reading my latest story.... I hope I captured everything as I saw it on one of my visits to Italy.

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    1. Thanks Valerie! I always enjoy your stories Valerie. So neat that you can write from the memories of your travels.

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you Francisco, and a hug and a good weekend to you also.

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  7. Hello, it is a beautiful flower. Lovely color too. Have a happy day and weekend!

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  8. I know this plant by its other common name--Dragon head. Mine was given to me by a friend years ago and comes up where it wants in my perennial bed. How nice to know its other name as well as its botanical one. I didn't know it was a member of the mint family, Denise. I always enjoy learning more about flowers. Thank you for the information and the lovely photos. ♥

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    1. I think I remember seeing that name also Martha Ellen. I read so many articles on them, it was all very interesting. I love learning too, always so interesting.

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  9. the more we get to know about a particular plant the better we like it.

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  10. Not a plant I have heard of, it looks almost like a foxglove. Happy weekend Diane

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  11. Hi Denise,
    Such a beautiful flower in both colour and form.
    Super images, love the visitor.
    All the best, John

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    1. Hi John, glad you enjoyed and the same to you :)

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  12. Fabulous series of photographs, and I love the colour of this flower.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan, it is a pretty color isn't it? All the best to you too :)

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  13. gorgeous denise, what a beautiful flower and such a pretty shade of purple!!!

    i have never seen this flower/plant but i am always looking for pretty blooms that will attract hummingbirds!!! and how perfect that it is my color!!!

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    1. The hummingbirds would definitely like these blooms and yes, that is your color :)

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