Root depth of obedient plant.

What is the root depth of the obedient plant? I understand it can be invasive. Can it be contained by placing a bucket in the ground and then planting in it?

After a small amount of reading I think that unless you have the time to divide this plant you will regret planting it. I am no expert but think that no plant will do well planted in the ground in a container. It seems that if you plant this in a not so fertile soil it is not so invasive, Check out Dave's Garden page.

Thanks for the reply, tcinmb:
This is Jim of barbnjim, Barb asked the original question, then we both got involved with orther things and forgot to follow up. We apologize for that.
The idea is to take a trash can and cut the bottom out and bury it in the ground about 18 inches or so and leave about 2 inches above the soil so the roots will not cross. I use that method to contain gooseneck loosestrife,which spreads wildly by underground runners. It has kept the loosestrife under control for several years, and I think it would work as well for obedient plant. We have only one small start of obediant plant, and would like it to spread enough to make a nice clump, but not take over the whole plant bed.

Well so the old Obedient isn't so obedient.
I agree with your burying the can method.
All of the big theme parks utilize burying pots.
If one starts looking poorly they remove the whole container and drop in another.
Other plants to beware of;
Yellow Daisy vine
Mexican Heather
Root Beer Plant
Bleeding Heart Vine
Trumpet vines
Bamboo
Orange Honeysuckle
I'll not plant these directly in the ground.
Sidney

I HAVE this plant also just pulled almost all of mine (keeps popping up) and potted up some for the patio. It is a pretty plant but way too invasive as far as I'm concerned. I'm not burying my pot at least not before winter and then I'll probably put the pot in my compost dirt. I have som bee balm that was growing in the same spot the obedient almost killed it out so be very very careful where you plant because it will pop up all over the place . Like 20 feet away for me!
Good Luck, Sonya

I've had 'Miss Manners' for 4 years and it is not at all invasive,though it grows taller than it is supposed to.My Gooseneck Plant is buried in very large pots with the bottoms cut out.So far,I have only had to pull a couple of runners that grew out over the pot rim.Lynn

I have 'Summer Snow' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/72604/ and my understanding is that the white varieties of obedient plant are less invasive than the pink varieties. I too have had mine for 4 years and mine is also taller than what the write up says. I love mine and have very little problems with mine, however I am in a colder zone than you are in. I think it would be a good idea to plant it in a trash can with the bottom cut out. That way if it is invasive for your area, you have it contained and it would not be a problem to remove it if you wanted.

Carolyn