Illustration of Scutellaria galericulata by Otto Wilhelm Thomé (1906). [Public Domain]

Genus: Scutellaria


Common Names: skullcap


Description coming soon.


Distribution: widespread

Our Selection

Scutellaria 'Ultra Violet'


Description: perennial; a 2013 introduction by High Country Gardens. Compact, rounded growth and dense violet-purple flower spikes in summer. 


Height: to 6 in. Spread: to 15 in.

Scutellaria baicalensis


Common name(s): Baical skullcap


Description: perennial; one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Vigorous growth and large purple-blue flower spikes in summer.


Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 18 in.

Scutellaria cypria


Description: perennial; a rare species from Cyprus. Forms small cushion of foliage with two-toned pink and yellow flower spikes in summer. Requires gritty, fast-draining soil to thrive.


Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 8 in.

Scutellaria incana


Description: a perennial wildflower native to the Central and Eastern U.S. Sturdy, upright growth with ovate, toothed leaves and profuse blue-purple flower spikes in summer.


Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Scutellaria lateriflora


Common name(s): blue skullcap, American skullcap, mad dog skullcap


Description: a perennial wildflower found in the Eastern U.S. Vigorous, upright growth and small blue flowers in summer. One of two species of skullcaps that are commonly used in medicine and herbalism.


Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 30 in.

Scutellaria orientalis


Description: perennial; a variable species native to the Mediterranean region. Finely divided leaves and long yellow flower spikes from late spring through summer.


Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 18 in.

Scutellaria pontica


Description: perennial; a low cushion of semi-evergreen foliage and magenta-pink flower spikes in summer. 


Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 6 in.

Scutellaria resinosa ex 'Smoky Hills'


Description: perennial; a seed-strain originally selected from a population in the Smoky Hills of Kansas. Small, gray-green leaves and purple-blue flower spikes in summer. 


Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 10 in.

Scutellaria rupestris


Description: perennial; native to cliffsides and rocky soils in Albania, Greece, and the surrounding islands. Scalloped, semi-evergreen foliage and wispy, purple flower spikes in summer.


Height: to 10 in. Spread: to 10 in.

Scutellaria suffrutescens


Description: perennial; native to deserts and dry shrublands of NE Mexico (and naturalized in Texas). Low-and compact with long-blooming red-pink flower spikes throughout summer.


Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 1 ft.