Hyssop Skullcap

Scutellaria integrifolia

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.