How to Grow a Dragonflower

Dragon flower, false dragonhead or Physostegia virginiana; some people also call these flowers Obedient Plant due to the fact that the flowers remain fixed in the way they are turned. Whatever the name, this perennial grows in USDA zones 3 to 9. It has dark green leaves that grow 4 to 6 inches long with flowering stems that can grow up to four feet tall. The plant flowers in mid to late summer with blossoms that resemble snapdragons and come in white, pink, red and pinkish-mauve. Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, dragon flowers are easy to plant and care for and are fast-growing.

Things You'll Need

• Dragonflower plants
• Shovel
• Garden trowel
• Organic matter or compost
• Complete plant food
• Flower stakes
• Water
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Select a location for the dragon flower. They grow well in either full sunlight or partial shade. Whatever the light, however, they need protection from strong winds. They grow in a wide range of soil, but prefer a well-drained soil, that is rich in organic matter.

2. Plant the dragon flower in October. Dig up the spot for the flowers and remove any rocks. Make sure the hole is deeper than the root system of the plant. Set aside some of the soil. If the soil hasn’t already been prepared, add some organic matter or compost to to the soil that was set aside and mix well.

3. Place a layer of the soil mixture in the hole. Carefully remove the plant from the container it came in and place it in the hole. Add some of the soil mixture all around the plant, to about halfway up and then water gently to settle the soil. Finish adding the remaining soil and tamp down carefully to remove air pockets. Water again and moderately every day for two weeks until the plant is established and new growth appears. Continue to water regularly through the fall and winter. Dragon flower tolerates dry periods, but young plants regularly need watering.

4. Apply a complete plant food in the spring. Mulch with decayed organic matter at the same time. Flowers will appear in mid to late summer and bloom into the fall. Dragon flower tolerates dry periods, but young flowers require regular watering. Taller flowers might require staking. Cut the blooms frequently to encourage a second blooming. Remove spent flower stems and prune the plant after it dies down.

5. Divide dragon flowers beginning in its second spring, around March and after that, every couple of years. Dragon flowers spread by sending out runners and seeds, and can create a large clump in one season. Divide the clumps of flowers and replant in groups for a good presentation. Water the new plants daily until they are established. Discard the oldest sections in subsequent years.

Tips & Warnings

• Dragon flowers have no known problems.

• Some varieties of dragon flowers have a fishy smell. If you choose this variety, plant it away from the front door or near areas where people will sit.