Heart-leaved Skullcap Scutellaria ovata
- Phonetic Spelling
- skew-teh-LARE-ee oh-VAY-tuh
- Description
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Heart-leaved Skullcap is a native perennial in the mint family found in the central to eastern U.S.A. It is widely variable across its range. The plant will grow up to 1-3 feet tall and produce snapdragon-like blooms most of the summer. The foliage is bitter tasting so is usually ignored by deer and rabbits. The genus name comes from the Latin word scutella meaning a small dish or saucer.
Grow this plant in well-drained dry to medium soil in full to partial sun. Use in naturalized areas, meadows, in borders of cottage or English gardens and pollinator gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Scutellaria
- Species:
- ovata
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and eastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees and moths.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A 2-parted capsule containing nutlets. The top section falls off releasing seeds while the scooped bottom section stays on the plant. Fruit displays from June to September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 2-lipped lavender flowers bloom from May to July. Upper lip is hooded while the lower lip has a white patch
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green leaves are heart-shaped, up to 4 inches long and 3 inches across. The margins are crenate to serrate. The upper surface may or may not have hairs, the lower surface is somewhat light with dense to sparse hairs. The petiole is hairy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green square stems covered in whitish hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- English Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
