Downy Skullcap (Scutellaria Incana) – 1 Gallon Pot

Other Names: Skull Cap, Hoary Skullcap

A delightful North American native, Scutellaria incana, commonly called Downy Skullcap, is a super tough but lovely perennial wildflower that is very easy to grow. It forms a bushy plant to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide with erect stems topped in racemes of very pretty flowers that the hummingbirds, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators will thoroughly enjoy. Blooming from early summer to early fall each long, tubular, violet-blue to sapphire-blue nectar-rich flower has an entrance with a hood- or cap-like overhang at the top, and a floor with a white pathway that beckons pollinators who might help pollinate the flowers. Aside from feeding on the nectar, pollinators will also enjoy the pollen in the flower for the protein and lipids it provides. The stamens and pistils are hidden under the hood as well so after getting a drink of nectar at the depths the pollinators get some pollen from under the hood. Needless to say, this plant is a pollinators dream plant, and easy to look at too. Downy Skullcap thrives in sun or part sun and prefers a moist but well drained fertile soil but tolerates drought and poor soils. Selected as NC Wildflower of the Year by the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Interesting Notes: In case you were wondering, downy in the name refers to the minute white hairs on the leaves and stems of the plant. As mentioned, skullcap in the name refers to how each long tubular flower has an entrance with a hood- or cap-like overhang at the top.

Plant as you would Salvia…