Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana), also known simply as Skullcap, is a native North American perennial valued for its ornamental qualities and medicinal properties. This herbaceous plant features delicate spikes of tubular, blue to violet flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer, attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. Downy Skullcap thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, tolerating dry conditions once established. Its downy, gray-green foliage forms dense clumps, making it ideal for borders, rock gardens, and naturalistic settings. Easy to grow and relatively low maintenance, Skullcap adds a touch of wild beauty and pollinator support to garden landscapes.
Ships as a Landscape-Ready Plug 6 Plant Minimum
Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana) info from Missouri Botanical Garden
Common Name: Downy Skullcap, Skullcap
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Bloom Description: Blue to violet
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)
Ornamental Features
Skullcap, specifically Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana), is a North American native perennial valued for its ornamental and medicinal properties. This herbaceous plant features spikes of tubular, blue to violet flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Its downy, gray-green foliage forms dense clumps, making it ideal for borders, rock gardens, and naturalistic landscapes. Downy Skullcap thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, tolerating dry conditions once established. It attracts bees and butterflies, adding both visual appeal and pollinator support to garden settings.Planting and Growing
Skullcap, specifically Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria incana), is a North American native perennial appreciated for its ornamental and medicinal qualities. Typically growing up to 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) in height with a similar spread, Downy Skullcap forms dense clumps of upright stems bearing small, tubular, lavender-blue flowers from late spring through summer. Its foliage is downy and gray-green, adding to its attractive appearance. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, tolerating dry conditions once established. Downy Skullcap is versatile, suitable for borders, rock gardens, and naturalized areas where its low-maintenance nature and drought tolerance shine. It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing its appeal in wildlife-friendly landscapes. Maintenance typically involves cutting back spent flower stalks to encourage a tidy appearance and potentially prolong blooming.