downy skullcap
Scutellaria incana
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 8
Flowers:
Blue Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Downy skullcap (Scutellaria incana) requires consistent moisture, but not soggy soil. Water the plant deeply once a week, and allow the top inch or 2 of soil to dry out between waterings. In the hottest summer months, the plant may require more frequent watering.
sunlight
Downy skullcap is an easily grown herbaceous plant that prefers a full to partial sun exposure. For best growth and flowering, it needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day in the spring and summer, while it is able to tolerate as little as 4-5 hours of direct sunlight in the fall and winter. If given too much sun however, the plant may become sun-scorched or overly dry. Additionally, it can also grow in light shade, as long as the amount of indirect light is still sufficient to support strong growth and blooming.
pruning
Downy skullcap should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before growth begins. Start by removing dead and damaged stems to improve air circulation. Prune off any leggy or overgrown stems to keep the plant from getting too dense. You should also remove any flower heads that have dropped off during the previous season. When pruning Downy skullcap, aim for a uniform shape and avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the stem at once. This will ensure the plant has plenty of energy to support new growth.
