Maryland Native Plants for Summer: Scutellaria incana – Hoary Skullcap
Maryland Native Plants for Summer
Scutellaria incana – Hoary Skullcap
Scutellaria incana – Hoary Skullcap is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best on dryish, sandy or clay soils. Scutellaria incana, commonly called skullcap, is a native wildflower that occurs in open woods, clearings, on slopes and along streams. 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 sometimes common name of hoary skullcap. Skullcap refers to the skull – or helmet – shaped calyx of the flower. This plant is a member of the mint family and has bitter-tasting so deer and rabbits usually ignore this plant.
Common Name: hoary skullcap
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil
(Information from Missouri Botanical Garden)
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Hoary Skullcap seed pods
Hoary Skullcap flowers and foliage