woodland wildflower
Downy Skullcap
Scutellaria incana
Also known as Hoary Skullcap
1 of 2Native to much of the USA
Eastern US as far west as Kansas
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry to moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Sep Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for sun through shade and dry to moist soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 5–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Eastern Carpenter Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee +6 more
Two-spotted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus, European Woolcarder Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee, Orange-tipped Wood-digger - Moths Snowberry Clearwing also Nessus Sphinx, Raspberry Pyrausta Moth
- Butterflies Pipevine Swallowtail also Zabulon Skipper, Least Skipper
- Also visited by
- Flower flies: Margined Calligrapher
- Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Wasps: Perennial Mason Wasp
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Pipevine swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (26): AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Eastern US as far west as KansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Dry to moistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- rich, acid soils and sands; dry to moistThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- Low to mediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–SepWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Blue, Purple, VioletThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.