Skullcap

Scutellaria

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 25 2013 in Howard Co., MD

Scutellaria alpina ( Alpine Skullcap )
An attractive, rhizomatous, woody-based perennial, reaching up to 1 x 2 feet, that is native to mountains from central Europe to Russia; south to southern Europe.
The scallop-edged, ovate leaves, up to 1.2 inches in length, are mid-green.
The bicolor blue and white flowers, up to 1.2 inches long, are borne on short spikes all summer long, often lasting into early autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade.

Scutellaria biacalensis
A fast spreading to invasive, bushy, woody-based perennial, reaching up to 15 inches x 2 feet. The narrow leaves form a basal rosette.
The bluish-purple flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

Scutellaria frutescens
A low growing perennial, reaching a maximum height of 1 foot.
The leaves are small and ovate.
The rosy-pink flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

Scutellaria incana ( Hoary Skullcap )
A perennial, reaching up to 4 x 2 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to dry woods in eastern North America ( from central Missouri to central Illinois to Ontario to New Jersey; south to Missouri to Virginia ). It is rare in central Maryland.
The oppositely-arranged, toothed, oval or ovate leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are deep green.
The violet-blue flowers, up to 1 inch in length, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. This attractive landscape plant is very easy to grow. Propagation is from seed or division during autumn or spring.

Scutellaria integrifolia ( Hyssop Skullcap )
A woody-based perennial, reaching up to 2.5 feet, that is native to moist woods and swamps the eastern U.S. ( Missouri to southern Ohio to Massachusetts; south to eastern Texas to central Florida ).
The paired, ovate leaves, up to 1.6 x 0.5 inches in size, are hairy, mid-green.
The violet-blue, tubular flowers, up to 1 inch in length, are borne on terminal racemes during late spring into early summer
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. Propagation is from seed or division during autumn or spring.

Gentiana nervosa ( Veined Scullcap )
A perennial, reaching up to 1 foot in height, that is native to floodplains and moist forests in eastern North America ( eastern Iowa to southeast Michigan to far southern Ontario to Albany, New York; south to northeast Arkansas to Tennessee to central North Carolina ). It is rare and scattered within most of its natural range. In Maryland it has been found from DC to Cecil County.
The oppositely-arranged, bluntly-toothed, pointed-oval leaves, up to 2 x 1.2 inches in size, are luxuriant bright green.
The white to very pale blue ( with purple spotting ) flowers, up to 0.3 inches in length, are borne during late spring to early summer. The flowers are borne singly or in pairs from the leaf axils.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in partial shade on moist, well drained soil.

Scutellaria orientalis
A long-lived, mat-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1.5 x 1.5 feet, that is native to southeastern Europe.
The attractive, soft, pinnate foliage is gray-green to mid-green.
The yellow ( with red flower lip ) flowers are borne all summer long.
Easy to grow.

Scutellaris ovata ( Heartleaf Skullcap )
A rhizomatous perennial, reaching up to 2.3 x 2 feet in size, that is native to forests of the eastern U.S. ( southeast Minnesota to southern Michigan to Pennsylvania; south to central Texas to Louisiana to central Georgia ). It is very scattered and localized in much of its natural range and is endangered in Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. In Maryland it is uncommon in central parts of the state, rare on the coastal plain.
The crenate-serrate, cordate, broadly-ovate leaves, up to 5 x 4.3 inches in size. The finely-hairy leaves are mid to deep blue-green. It often dies back during summer drought, re-emerging during autumn.
The blue flowers, up to 1 inch in length, are borne on racemes up to 4 inches in length, during late spring to mid-summer. The flowers attract hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in partial shade on just about any well drained soil. It is deer resistant.

Scutellaria resinosa
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. Resistant to deer and rabbit.
Drought tolerant as long as it is well watered during the first season.

'Smoky Hills'
Reaches up to 12 x 15 inches, it is larger, longer lived and showier than the species.
The lavender-blue flowers are borne over a long season during summer.