Appalachian Blues Skullcap (Scutellaria) - 1 Gallon Pot
$27.98
Sale price
$27.98
Regular price
$30.00
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Appalachian Blues Skullcap (Scutellaria) - 1 Gallon Pot
$27.98
Sale price
$27.98
Regular price
$30.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description
Appalachian Blues Skullcap
Scuttelaria 'Appalachian Blues' PP34854
Other Names: Appalachian Blues Skull Cap
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Perennial
Height at Maturity: 12-15" foliage; flowers to 24"
Width at Maturity: 18-24"
Spacing: 15-18" for mass planting or solid border
Spacing: 15-18" for mass planting or solid border
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Mound
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Flower Color: Bicolor Violet-Purple and White
Flower Size: .5-1" in loose racemes 6 to 8 inches long
Flowering Period: Late Spring through Early Summer
Flower Type: Two-lipped, in loose racemes
Fragrant Flowers: -
Foliage Color: Rich Green with Eggplant-Purple edging
Fragrant Foliage: -
Berries: -
Berry Color: -
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade
Water Needs: Average to Low
Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Gravelly, Loam, Rocky, Sandy, Silt - poor soils
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained to Dry
Soil pH: 5.5 - 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-30F), Deer, Drought (when established), Dry Soil, Heat, Humidity, Rabbits
Description
A delightful North American native, Scutellaria 'Appalachian Blues' is a relatively new arrival to the Skullcap family. It is a very tough but lovely perennial wildflower that is easy to grow. A dwarf, it forms a bushy mound of rich green leaves with eggplant-purple edges to about 15 inches tall and 24 inches wide. During late spring through early summer, loose clusters appear above the mound bearing beautiful, bicolor, tubular flowers with white lower lips and violet-purple overhanging "skullcap" that beckons hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial pollinators. 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, so after getting a drink of nectar at the depths, the pollinators get some pollen from under the hood. This plant is a pollinator's dream plant. Appalachian Blues thrives in sun or part sun and prefers a moist, well-drained, fertile soil, but tolerates drought and poor soils.
Interesting Notes:
As mentioned, the skullcap in the name refers to the way each long tubular flower has an entrance with a hood—or cap-like overhang at the top.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing up to 2 feet tall in bloom and 2 feet wide, Appalachian Blues Skullcap is excellent for an accent in smaller garden spaces and containers. In larger garden spaces it can be planted in groupings or as a border along paths and walkways. Plant it near patios and other outdoor sitting and living spaces where the pretty flowers and hummingbirds and butterflies feeding can be enjoyed from close up. It is a fine addition to perennial gardens, butterfly and pollinator gardens, hummingbird gardens, cottage gardens, meadow gardens, English gardens, native gardens, purple-themed gardens, rock gardens, and xeric gardens (low water needs).
Spacing suggestions: 15 to 18 inches apart for solid groupings or borders; 3 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Appalachian Blues Skullcap is exceptionally easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil of average to low fertility and full sun to part sun. Four or more hours of direct sunlight daily is suggested. It is highly drought-tolerant when established. When growing in a container make sure to use a pot with a hole(s) at the bottom and a quality potting soil or potting mix, or a 50/50 mix thereof. Maintenance is minimal. In colder areas, plants might need a good hard pruning in the spring to remove frost-damaged foliage.
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Care
To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
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