Hyssop Skullcap
Scutellaria integrifolia
One of the richest blues in the native palette, blooming late spring on dry, open sites. Built for bumblebees, it self-seeds modestly.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The richest, clearest blue of any native late-spring perennial we carry, specifically designed to attract bumblebees. and one of the few skullcap species readily available in commerce.
Hyssop skullcap blooms in late spring and early summer with a clear blue to blue-violet that's among the richest, most saturated blues in the native plant palette. The tubular flowers, arranged in loose racemes atop the stems, are shaped specifically for bumblebees: the lower lip acts as a landing platform and the tight corolla tube ensures the bee contacts the anthers when accessing the nectar. Bumble bee activity on skullcap flowers in June is one of the most satisfying things to watch in a pollinator garden. It grows on dry, open sites in the eastern US, making it ideal for meadow plantings, dry borders, and well-drained spots where clear blue color in late spring is most needed. Self-seeds modestly to naturalize over time without becoming weedy.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown hyssop skullcap propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 1–2 ft · 12–18 in wide
- Bloom time
- Late spring through early summer
- Bloom color
- Purple, Blue
- USDA zones
- 5–9
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Eastern United States
Care notes for hyssop skullcap.
Full sun to part shade in dry to average, well-drained soil. Good drainage is important. avoid wet conditions. Cut back after bloom to encourage reblooming or tidy growth. Self-seeds gently. No fertilizing needed in average to poor soil. Very deer-resistant due to bitter compounds in foliage.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside hyssop skullcap.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.