Perennial floral plant Scutellaria incana

bluepurplefor flower beds

Scutellaria incana Hoary skullcap or downy skullcap An eastern meadow native that provides weeks of color in mid-summer. Purple flowers top bushy green plants. Found at wood's edge and in sunny meadows from New York to Arkansas. Height 2-4 Feet Spread 12-16 Inches USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9 Hoary skullcap Interesting Notes Scutellaria incana features strong, upright growth with eye-catching, deep-blue flowers, making it an excellent choice for the sunny garden. This partial shade to full sun perennial attains a height from 24-36” tall with darkly-colored stems, 2-4” long oppositely-arranged leaves and many striking, rich deep-blue flowers in mid to late July. The round-top flowers are covered with fine, soft hairs giving rise to its common name, downy skullcap. It thrives in a moist, rich soil but is content with average soil conditions. Downy skullcap is drought-tolerant once established and grows well with companions such as Carex grayi, Rhexia virginica, Iris versicolor, Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway' and Gentiana clausa. - Mt. Cuba Center Skullcap is a Missouri native wildflower that occurs in open woods, clearings, on slopes and along streams in the northcentral and Ozark regions of the State. Grows to 3' tall. Small, two-lipped, purplish blue flowers (typical mint family) appear in branching, loose racemes in summer. Toothed, ovate, medium green leaves. Square stems are hoary (covered with minute white hairs), hence the sometime common name of hoary skullcap. Skullcap refers to the skull - or helmet - shaped calyx of the flower. Wildflower gardens, cottage gardens, native plant gardens, open woodland areas, prairies or meadows. - Missouri Botanical Garden