Physostegia virginiana ‘Crown of Snow’, commonly known as Obedient Plant, is a hardy perennial producing elegant spikes of pure white, snapdragon-like flowers from July to September. The upright blooms rise above fresh green foliage, adding valuable height and structure to summer borders while attracting bees and other pollinators.
 
Perfect for cottage gardens, herbaceous borders and cutting patches, ‘Crown of Snow’ produces strong, straight stems that make a beautiful addition to summer bouquets. Grow in full sun or partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Plants establish into generous clumps and return reliably each year.
 
When to Sow: February – June
 
HOW TO SOW:
Sow Indoors – Surface sow onto moist, free-draining seed compost. Cover very lightly with vermiculite or a fine sprinkling of compost. Keep at 18–25°C until germination. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them individually into small pots and grow on in cooler conditions. Harden off carefully before planting outside after the danger of frost has passed.
Sow Direct – Sow thinly into a prepared nursery bed from May to June. Cover very lightly with fine soil, keep evenly moist and thin or transplant the seedlings once they are well established.
 
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Easy to Grow
Germination Time: 2–3 Weeks
Site: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Type: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Soil Acidity: All Types
Moisture: Moist but well-drained
 
Care: Water regularly while plants are establishing and during prolonged dry periods. Apply a mulch in spring to help retain moisture. Taller stems may benefit from support in exposed positions. Deadhead or cut flowered stems to keep plants tidy, then cut the old growth back to ground level in winter. Divide established clumps in spring if they become congested or spread beyond their allotted space.
Use: Cottage Gardens, Herbaceous Borders, Cut Flower Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Pollinator Gardens
Harvesting: Cut stems when the lower flowers on each spike are beginning to open. Harvest during the cool of the morning and place the stems into water immediately. Regular cutting and deadheading can encourage further flowers.
 
Days to Maturity: May flower in the first year from an early sowing; otherwise expect established flowering from the second year
Vase Life: Unknown
Height: 60–90 cm
Plant Spacing: 30–40 cm