The Physostegia virginiana has started to bloom in the garden this week. It is also known by the common names of Obedient Plant and False Dragonhead. The name Obedient Plant comes from the odd fact that the stems when bent stay put instead of springing back as most plants would.
The true Dragonhead (Dracocephalum) is said to represent the open mouth of a dragon. Physostegia is in a different genus but has similar two-lipped flowers, lobed at the base and the upper lip, resembling fanciful heads of dragons ...and is thus called False Dragonhead
Hmm what do you have to do to be part of green thumb sunday? it may shame me into doing more.
ReplyDeleteAlso any chance of a simple lesson in how you take your lovely flower photos? i have no idea which buttons to fiddle with on my camera :)
What a pretty flower and I like the fact about the obedient name.
ReplyDeleteSara from farmingfriends
Fab pic Ruth x
ReplyDeleteNice photos. I grow lots of obedience plants ... well, I started with a few and they multiply rapidly. The white ones are in bloom now and I'll have pinkish ones a bit later on.
ReplyDeleteThat is so neat, that the steams bend and stay.
ReplyDeleteThese remind me of the 1960s song, "Bend Me, Shape Me." Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the livestock. I can't imagine the hardships the farmer will suffer having his livestock slaughtered. I wonder if they have insurance for such a thing?
Aiyana
I have white obedient plant and was wanting impatiently for my pink ones to bloom. Now I know I have something to look forward to.
ReplyDeletePlant names are so very interesting. I love these pictures -- what beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the reason for the name. It is very interesting. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeletegreat shot.
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