Species skullcap

skullcap

Scutellaria suffrutescens

Skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens) is a hardy perennial native to the southern and western United States. It grows in dry, rocky, and sunny soils. Its gray-green leaves are oval shaped with scalloped edges. Its purplish-blue flowers are shaped like small helmets which gives it its common name skullcap. This charming plant is a great addition to any garden and its long blooming period adds color to your garden for much of the summer. It's easy to grow and drought tolerant, making it an ideal choice for low-maintenance planting. It's great for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden, adding interest and providing pollinators with food.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Pink to rose Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens) should be watered deeply and infrequently. During its dormancy period, from fall to late winter, it should be watered only after a long dry spell. Once spring has arrived, water this plant thoroughly once a week. During periods of extreme heat, water every 3-4 days. Make sure to check the soil moisture before you water. If the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface, it’s time to water.

sunlight

Skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens) is a plant species that prefers full sun, and is best grown with at least 6-8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. In the summer, it is best to provide morning sun and afternoon shade, to help protect the plant from intense heat and to keep the soil slightly moist. In the colder months, skullcap will tolerate a bit of shade and still bloom effectively. It's important to note that the plant can also adapt to different light requirements depending on where it is planted.

pruning

Skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens) is a shrubby perennial that typically flowers and forms clumps in summer. Pruning this plant is important for health and vigor. Pruning should occur annually in the spring when the new growth appears. The new growth should be cut back by about 1-third to 1-half its original length. This encourages branching and bushier growth. If you plan to prune this plant to keep it in a container, shear it down to half its original size after flowering is finished. Deadheading is also recommended to help prolong flowering time. Remove faded or damaged blooms in order to keep the plant looking neat and to promote the growth of healthy new blooms.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Skullcap typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Skullcap typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Hardiness Map