Alphabetical Plant Listing

Scutellaria incana (Downy Skullcap)

Hoary Skullcap, Downy Skullcap, Helmet Flower


Scutellaria incana (Downy Skullcap) is a bushy rhizomatous perennial boasting open racemes of small, two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers from mid to late summer. The round-top flowers are covered with fine, soft hairs giving rise to its common name, Downy Skullcap. They are borne on erect pubescent square stems clothed in toothed ovate gray-green leaves. Undemanding and easy to grow, Downy Skullcap tolerates heat, drought, shade, poor infertile soils, rocky or gravelly soils. It is pest resistant and unpalatable to deer and rabbits. An excellent choice for the sunny garden.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). This plant will spread into small colonies from underground rhizomes.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates clay soils, dry soils. Drought tolerant once established.
  • A perfect choice for beds and borders, naturalized areas, meadows, prairies, wildflower gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagate from seed, or by clump division in spring.
  • Native to central and eastern United States.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 6 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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By Gerry Bishop, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 6 – 8
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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