Chihuahuan Deserts, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Herbaceous
Height
2
to
4
ft.
Spread
0.5
to
1
ft.
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Rich, Moist
Light Requirement
Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Water Requirement
Medium, High
Native Habitat
Wetland or Riparian
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
Pink, Purple
Bloom Season
Summer, Fall
Seasonal Interest
Nectar
Wildlife Benefit
Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Maintenance
Very easy, low maintenance plant. Lower water need if in shade/part shade. Colonizes easily from stolons so give lots of room or thin and transplant in spring as needed. Tolerates both drought and poor drainage. Propagation: Root division, Seed.
Comments
Blooms August-November. Square stems, typical of the mint family, bear long, lance-shaped leaves. Terminal spikes of, snapdragon-like, pink to lavender flowers. Nectar source for hummingbirds & butterflies.
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 203.. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PHVI8. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Physostegia+virginiana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=13572&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32391#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.