Physostegia Pink Obedient Plant

(Lycopersicon esculentum )

A popular crimson red medium tomato with great taste that tolerates low night temperatures, so it is ideal for cooler area. A Russian heirloom that is an early producer. A tough and vigorous producer that needs staking.

An attractive cultivar medium sized, scarlet red fruit that is full of flavour. Tolerant of cool night temperatures and ideal for cool climate gardens

Flavours/Food Partners

A rich flavored tomato that partners well with Latin herbs like garlic, oregano, marjoram, rosemary and thyme. Use with any good salad vegetable, Nasturtium flowers and mixed fresh herbs to make an attractive and tasty salad.

Health/Cooking/Medicinal

Like all tomatoes, Red Russian is high in the cancer fighting agent, Lycopene and also Vitamin C. For a classic rich sauce cook and mix with garlic, marjoram, sweet basil, diced shallots, and fresh pizza thyme. Finely dice, mix finely chopped shallots, fresh pesto basil and extra virgin olive oil and place on lightly toasted Turkish bread then top with an anchovie for a special homemade bruschetta.

Landscaping/Planting

Plant in an airy, sunny position in well drained soil or very large pots. Requires a 1.1 to 1.4 m stake.

Cultivation/Fertiliser

Like all tomatoes it must receive a deep soaking when almost dry and should not receive overhead watering. Feed regularly with Seasol and Powerfeed. A small amount of dolomite lime after planting will make stronger plants. Remove side shoots and develop two or three main leaders. Harvest when fruit is full color

Herb Attributes

Position Full Sun
Height 1.2m
Width 50cm

Description

(Physostegia virginiana ‘Rosea’)

SPECIAL QUALITIES

An attractive herbaceous perennial that will spread with underground rhizomes. Push the flower stems to one side and they will hold that position giving them the name ‘Obedient Plant’.

FLOWERS

Soft pink tubular flowers on 15cm flower spikes in late summer and autumn. The spikes sit well above the clumping foliage.

POSITION & USES

Physostegia will grow in most garden sites in part to full sun and wet to well drained soil, tolerating cold temperates to sub-tropical environments.

CULTIVATION

Easy to grow and if left unpruned may get a bit large so an annual hard prune will help keep it looking good.

FERTILISING

Regular applications of Seasol and PowerFeed will keep it looking its best.

WATER RATING

  • Red can = Little water in hot, dry weather.
  • Green can = Deep watering every few weeks in hot, dry weather.
  • Blue can = Deep watering weekly in hot, dry weather.

Codes are a guide only and watering requirements will be affected by soil type, competition, mulching, wind and many other factors. Try to group plants with the same code in the one bed.

CAUTION: May be harmful if eaten

Herb Attributes

Plants Needed per Square Metre 2-3
Habit An erect perennial with lance-shaped foliage and tall unbranched stems.
Position Full Sun to Part Shade, Moderate Frost
Height 1M
Width 80CM