Scutellaria incana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- skoot-ul-AIR-ee-uh in-KAN-nuh
- Description
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Downy skullcap is a native perennial wildflower in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Found growing in shady dry forests and open woodlands, and along slopes and streambanks.
Square stems are covered with fine white hairs and small purplish-blue flowers bloom in loose racemes.
It prefers moderate moisture in well-drained soil but tolerates sandy, clay, and poor soils. It grows in dry woods or clearings. This plant is tolerant of heat and drought.
This plant was selected as the 2014 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Scutellaria incana var. punctata
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Scutellaria
- Species:
- incana
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are available August-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Purplish-blue flowers in loose racemes. Flowers bloom July-August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Hairy with minute whitish hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Square stem covered with fine white hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
