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Heart-leaved Skullcap Scutellaria ovata

Phonetic Spelling
skew-teh-LARE-ee oh-VAY-tuh
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#food source hard mast fruit#Piedmont Mountains FACU
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#food source hard mast fruit#Piedmont Mountains FACU
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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